MEMBERS of Reform UK in Wellington reacted with ‘deep shock’ on Friday (July 10) as it emerged one of the party’s most popular characters, Ann Widdecombe, may have been murdered just months after she met them.

Ms Widdecombe, aged 78, was the party’s spokesperson on immigration and justice issues and met local members when she spoke in Taunton before Christmas.

More than 200 people had turned up to listen to Ms Widdecombe and afterwards she was driven back to her isolated home on Dartmoor by Reform’s Andy Denison, who lives in Rockwell Green and later stood in two town council by-elections.

Current branch chairman Robert Holland told the Wellington Weekly: “The tragic death of Ann Whiddicombe is a huge loss to our country.

“She was a statesman.

“She was a politician who held the very highest standards and was an ardent supporter of Reform.

“She was always available for advice and did not shy away from giving it.

“Ann was a lady.

“She was amazing and interesting company who specialised in bowling a googly to check your reaction and your attention.

“Thank you Ann for your wisdom, and your support of Reform in Somerset.

“Rest in peace.”

One Wellington party member who did not want to be named, said: “I was deeply, deeply shocked when I heard the news.

“She was a lovely woman who always had time for a word or two with you.

“She had an incredibly sharp mind, and an equally sharp sense of humour.”

Ms Widdecombe was found dead in her home on Thursday, and on Friday evening Devon and Cornwall Police said a 26-year-old ‘white British male’ had been arrested in Newton Abbot on suspicion of her killing.

She was a former Conservative Minister before leaving the party and joining the then-Brexit Party and being elected as a Member of the European Parliament, subsequently joining Reform and touring the country as a speaker.