Daughter of murdered MP says Ann Widdecombe's killing is like a 'sick dream' and shows nothing has changed since his death

By KRISTINA WEMYSS, GENERAL NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:59, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 12:13, 17 July 2026 The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has said that the death of his close friend Ann Widdecombe feels like a ‘sick dream’. Katie Amess warned that ‘nothing has changed’ since her father was stabbed more than 20 times by an Islamic State fanatic in 2021. She recalled: ‘When it happened to my dad, [Ms Widdecombe] came up from Devon, she lived with us, she protected us. ‘To see what has happened to her is just like I’m living in a sick, sick dream.’ The former Conservative minister - who became Sir David’s ‘best friend’ during their time in Parliament - was godmother to one of his children and read out a tribute to him, written by his family, during his memorial service. Ms Amess recalled: ‘At the end of the family statement. Aunt Ann says “please, let some good come from this”. Last Thursday, Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon. Counter-terrorism police have said she was killed in a ‘targeted attack’, and her death has reignited fears for the safety of MPs. Katie Amess warned that ‘nothing has changed’ since her father was stabbed more than 20 times by an Islamic State fanatic in 2021 Counter-terrorism police have said Ann Widdecombe was killed in a ‘targeted attack’ last week Ms Amess, who is still pushing for a public inquiry into her father’s murder, told The Times that after all Ms Widdecombe did for her family, her death feels ‘just so cruel’. ‘I’ve consistently been saying we aren’t safe, nothing has changed,’ she said. ‘The Government comes out and says “no, no, no, we’ve successfully overhauled the system, we’ve done reviews”. ‘They say the family should be happy with all their answers, and it’s just complete and utter nonsense.’ The Southend West MP was stabbed to death in October 2021 at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, by Islamic State sympathiser Ali Harbi Ali. He was sentenced to a whole-life order for the murder the following year. Ali, it emerged, had been referred to the anti-radicalisation scheme Prevent seven years earlier, but his case was closed in 2016.  The Government rejected calls for a public inquiry last year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has appointed former Tory justice secretary Robert Buckland to conduct an independent review into the circumstances around Sir David’s death.  But Ms Amess has argued that only a statutory public inquiry would go far enough to get the truth, as it would have the legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence. ‘I don’t understand why they don’t want these answers to come out,’ she said. ‘We’re sitting here less than five years later.’ ‘The Government doesn’t understand the heartbreak and trauma that we are living with every single day. I don’t really understand why they wouldn’t want to do a full inquiry. ‘[Ms Widdecombe] was just the most amazing, admirable woman. She was a tower of strength and I think even if you didn’t agree with her politics, you could admire how much she tried to fight to make this country a better place and she stood by her principles.’ Her comments come after Reform UK has said that it would provide all 650 MPs - and former politicians still active in public life - with 'round-the-clock- protection'. It is estimated this could cost up to £100million, but Zia Yusuf said MPs must be able to air their views 'without fear'. Meanwhile, prime minister in waiting Andy Burnham, who is due to replace Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, has said that a 'serious review' is needed into MPs' security. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.