RITA WIDDECOMBE, mother of Maidstone and Weald MP Ann Widdecombe, has died suddenly. She was 95.

Mrs Widdecombe died last Thursday at the London home she shared with her daughter who was with her.

The funeral is due to be held on Tuesday, May 8, at St Christopher’s Church, Haselmere, Surrey.

Mrs Widdecombe was an avid supporter of her daughter who was described as a “devoted daughter” by her personal assistant Edward Winstanley.

Mrs Widdecombe was the widow of James, who was the head of naval supplies and transport for the Ministery of Defence. Ann was brought up in Singapore were she went to the Royal Naval School.

As well as a daughter, Mrs Widdecombe leaves a clergyman son, Malcolm, three grandchildren, Sean, Roger and Fiona, and four great-grandchildren, Emily, Joseph, Jem and Lloyd.

Mrs Widdecombe had suffered a fall earlier this year but was believed to have made a good recovery although she was frail.

Miss Widdecombe has asked that her privacy is respected until after the funeral.

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