Parliament displays portrait of late Ann Widdecombe as memorial plans continue

A photograph of Ann Widdecombe, captured in the Palace of Westminster’s Cloister Corridor in 2010, was mounted in Portcullis House, the building housing many MPs’ offices, on Tuesday. The timing aligns with Parliament’s scheduled return from summer recess next week. Helen Grant, who now represents Maidstone and The Weald, described the portrait as the first step toward a lasting tribute and noted that the Speaker of the House of Commons approved its display.

Ongoing talks among members and parliamentary officials aim to establish a permanent commemoration on the estate. Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, died at age 78 after being discovered with serious head injuries in her Devon residence, and Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder. Her funeral was held at Buckfast Abbey, attended by roughly 100 relatives, friends and former colleagues, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage plans to visit a public memorial later in the year.