New details have been released for Ann Widdecombe’s funeral, with the church where the service will be held issuing a statement.

A requiem mass will be held for the former Tory minister, who became a Reform UK spokeswoman, at Buckfast Abbey in Devon tomorrow.

The private requiem mass will include a homily from the Rt Rev David Charlesworth, Abbot of Buckfast.

A statement from the abbey said Ms Widdecombe would be “missed and fondly remembered” and “many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character”.

The statement read: “Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics.

“Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant.”

A public memorial will be held for the former politician later this year.

The former MP, 78, died on July 8 after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.

Ms Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party.

At the time of her death she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK.

Richard Tice has paid an emotional tribute to his former colleague around the time of her death, labelling her a "remarkable person", and a "great lady".

He told GB News about her "remarkable contribution to public life, both in politics and entertaining people" throughout her long career both inside and outside Westminster and Strasbourg.

"Whether it was in a small meeting or a huge audience of thousands of people, she had everybody listening intently to what she said. That's a remarkable gift," he said.

"I'm not sure they make them like that anymore... They really don't."

"Ann's faith, her strong Catholic faith, was remarkable. It held true and strong, I think, all the way through most all of her life," he added.

Police are investigating whether Kerry was also connected to an arson attack on a property owned by Nigel Farage.

Kerry, of Byrley Road in Rotherham, is currently remanded in custody.

Outside of politics Ms Widdecombe also found popularity on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.