Reform-linked journalist scolds Ann Widdecombe’s family

Senior Reform UK politicans have been speculating about what happened to Ann Widdecombe despite her family asking them not to.

On 10 July, Widdecombe was found dead in her home. With Widdecombe being a former politician, people predictably theorised about what happened.

Now, adding insult to injury, a Reform-linked journalist has told Widdecombe’s family to stop complaining.

And here we have it. The final line crossed. Allison literally telling Ann Widdecombe’s family what they should want in the wake of her death. https://t.co/C86EEdRhN5

— (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) July 12, 2026

Widdecombe speculation snowballs

The Canary’s Joe Glenton reported the following of Widdecombe:

A 26-year-old white male suspect has been arrested after former Tory minister and Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe was found dead. She was an MP for over two decades and was known for her far-right and homophobic views.

Police have since released the suspect and arrested a second man.

Nigel Farage speculated about the Widdecombe case despite the police asking the public not to do so. He said:

From what I make out, this was premeditated murder. Whether it was politically motivated, whether it was someone with a grudge. I don’t think it pays at this time to speculate

Farage went further by sharing one of the theories he’d heard:

One theory doing the rounds is that it was a burglary gone wrong. But a car went onto the drive at approximately 12.25-12.30 on Wednesday. She had done one interview in the morning… She was due to do another one at 1pm. So if you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone’s drive?

Farage wasn’t the only Reform politician speculating either.

Sorry, I’m a little lost here. Why would someone from South Yorkshire end up at a specific property in Dartmoor 270+ miles away by sheer coincidence? But they seem to tell us with absolute certainty that there’s no political motivation.

— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes) July 12, 2026

The following is from Isabel Oakeshott, the partner of Reform deputy Richard Tice.

Knock it off.

Stop trying to create controversy and outrage at the expense of someone's murder.

Ghoulish and irresponsible. https://t.co/u7IJk2VQKg

— Don McGowan (@donmcgowan) July 12, 2026

Insulting to Widdecombe family

Allison Pearson was responding to a report in the Mail on Sunday. The Times reported:

The Mail on Sunday reported that a “highly placed source” had told the paper Widdecombe’s family “don’t want her death hijacked for political purposes”, and were “very uneasy” about Farage attending the scene of the investigation.

This was how Tice responded to the Times article which carried this criticism:

The Times Group:

You are sick

Your contempt bordering on hatred of Nigel, myself & Reform means you stoop to any low to smear & discredit us. You lie, libel and make things up.

How many more Reform politicians do you want dead?

Shame on you https://t.co/LnCCZ4YEqi

— Richard Tice MP 🇬🇧 (@TiceRichard) July 13, 2026

His partner Oakeshott then centred the feelings of Nigel Farage “NF” over those of Widdecombe’s family.

Please Dan -just leave it. People are hurting, including NF. Demonising him in this way, at this time, is ill judged and callous.

— Isabel Oakeshott (@IsabelOakeshott) July 12, 2026

And this is what Allison Pearson said in full:

Ann adored her Reform family, she was passionate about the party and believed it would form a government.

Ann also loved Nigel and Richard Tice whilst remaining a valued and stern critic.

Ann 100% would have wanted public tributes from her party and she would have been touched by Nigel’s beautiful tribute today near her home. She was a stickler for the done thing.

Did Labour “hijack” Jo Cox’s death or did they pay fitting tribute to one of their own?

Reform loved Ann and Ann loved Reform. Her family should want what Ann would have wanted.

Pearson doesn’t address the raised concern, which is the impression that Reform is using the case for “political purposes”. That Reform is doing this this is apparent in the way Farage and others are speculating on the case. It’s also obvious in the stage-managed way that Farage is presenting himself.

Farage is performing for the cameras. They set up the flowers, called the media and then offered to redo it for b-roll.

The public will think this is weird. Dressing up in a blazer and tie to lay a fake wreath in a random field in Devon. pic.twitter.com/esHkqhL9VE

— KoH (@pinguforest) July 12, 2026

What is he doing very very strange behaviour from Farage pic.twitter.com/DfvjnpNrkT

— Grumpy Gardener🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Grumpygardener8) July 12, 2026

Grim behaviour from Reform

People were already accusing Reform UK of trying to deflect from its many ongoing scandals because of Farage’s Clacton by-election stunt. As such, the party needed to be very careful about how it handled the case.

Whether you agree with Reform’s behaviour or not, it’s obvious that its politicians and members are not being careful. The criticism they’re receiving as a result is so very predictable.

Featured image via the Canary