“A HEARTBREAKING UPDATE…” 💔 Ann Widdecombe’s family have shared an emotional announcement following the alleged hammer a.tt.ack murder, including details of a public memorial.

Ann Widdecombe’s family have made an announcement as they “understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral”.

The family of Miss Widdecombe said a public memorial will be held later this year. The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9 with serious head injuries.

In a statement, Miss Widdecombe’s family said: “We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe. A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed. A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course.

“While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.”

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with her murder.

Prosecutors say that on July 8, Miss Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her bungalow in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Kerry then allegedly used a hammer to hit Miss Widdecombe on her head 21 times, prosecutors told the Old Bailey on Tuesday.