Moment former Sky presenter calls Ann Widdecombe a 'bruiser' and an 'old maid' after her 'murder' aged 78 - as viewers brand comments 'inappropriate and disrespectful'

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:56, 11 July 2026 | Updated: 01:57, 11 July 2026 Former Sky presenter Adam Boulton has been heavily condemned after describing ex-Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe as a 'bruiser' and an 'old maid' just hours after a murder investigation was launched into her death at the age of 78. Mr Boulton, who now works for Times Radio, has been urged to apologise - but he has steadfastly refused to do so, stating he 'sticks to the facts' and had known Ms Widdecombe 'for decades'.  Police launched a murder investigation hours after the former prisons minister was found with 'serious injuries' at her Dartmoor home on Thursday. Fears for her wellbeing had been raised after she failed to turn up for an appearance on Jeremy Vine's Channel 5 show that morning. A 26-year-old white British man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder, as forensic officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.  Invited to speak on Sky News, where he worked as the political editor for 25 years, Mr Boulton said: 'She was very much a spinster. By the end, I think you'd probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.' He then went on to detail her romance with Colin Maltby during her student years and said she had never found love again.  Mr Boulton continued: 'She had a relationship at university; she went to Oxford University, into an all-women's college, of course, where people like Edwina Currie knew her as well. 'She had a chaste but doomed relationship with a man, who is now a banker, and really, from that point on, she was not interested in having personal relationships and very much dedicated herself to her activities.' Former Sky presenter Adam Boulton has been heavily condemned after describing ex-Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe as a 'bruiser' and an 'old maid' - just hours after her death Mr Boulton, who now works for Times Radio, has been urged to apologise - but he has steadfastly refused to do so, stating he 'sticks to the facts' and had known Ms Widdecombe 'for decades' Known for her redoubtable, no-nonsense nature, Ms Widdecombe spent more than two decades as a Tory MP before becoming a Brexit Party MEP and joining Reform UK in 2023.  She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.  It was during this 'second career' that Ms Widdecombe came to be known to a new generation and established herself as a beloved household name who was not afraid to air her views.  'There weren't that many battling old ladies around,' commented Mr Boulton. He added: 'She was a major political character. Known for speaking without a written speech and wouldn't stand behind the lectern. 'She would stomp around the stage telling the delegates how she viewed the world. She was definitely a bruiser.' In 2010, Ms Widdecombe appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. Partnered with Anton Du Beke, she survived until the tenth week of the competition and finished in sixth place. Her iconic journey saw her handed consistently very low scores by judges – once receiving a record-low 12 for her Salsa and being described as like 'a Dalek in drag'.  Mr Boulton said: 'She knew that the joke was partly on her, but she was very happy to play up to that, for the attention it gave her.' He ended: 'She also embarked on a fairly successful writing career, writing books, as she put it, with no sex and violence in them. I think she also wrote a book about her cats as well.'  Following his appearance, social media commentator Nicholas Lissak called out Mr Boulton's words as 'misogynistic poison'. Writing on X he said: 'Disgraceful scenes on Sky News as a smirking Adam Boulton rants about Ann Widdecombe as a "spinster," an "old maid" and a "virgin" while speculating about her private life.' British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies described his comments as 'vile' while Reform UK member Ben Graham said they were 'Bizarre. Unnecessary. Completely out of touch.' Former MP and novelist Louise Mensch meanwhile called out Mr Boulton's language as 'misogynistic'.  Expressing her views on an X post, she wrote: 'Unless you were her gynecologist, which you definitely were not, you have no idea if she was an old maid or not.  'Spinster she was not; she was a highly accomplished professional woman. Also, both phrases are misogynistic even if that was not your intent.  'They grossly denigrate and demean women who do not marry. And our worth is more than a wedding ring.' Ms Widdecombe was a permanent fixture in British public life thanks to her long career as a no-nonsense, tough-talking figure on the Right. She was a Conservative MP between 1987 and 2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, and held several ministerial positions in John Major's government. Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the case was 'not being treated as terrorism' and there was 'no information' at this time to suggest it was a politically motivated crime.  Detectives are now working to establish if there had been any prior contact between the suspect and victim. He said: 'This is an extremely tragic incident. Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe in this very difficult time.' The senior officer said police remain 'open-minded' about the motive for the attack when asked whether it may have been a burglary gone wrong.' The former Tory minister, known for opposing abortion and gay rights, was a regular target for Left-wing campaigners and activists, who disagreed with her forthright, socially conservative views. But the 78-year-old Brexiteer and devout Catholic refused to be cowed by terrorists – even after the murder of fellow MP and 'best friend in Parliament,' Sir David Amess. Ms Widdecombe was known for opposing the legality of abortion, issues surrounding LGBT+ rights and for supporting the reintroduction of the death penalty.  During her political career, she did not once vote in favour of gay rights – opposing significant acts of legislation like civil partnerships, repealing Section 28, the Equality Act, reducing the age of consent for homosexual sex, and gay couples adopting. Adam Boulton said of Ms Widdecombe: 'She would stomp around the stage telling the delegates how she viewed the world. She was definitely a bruiser' Ms Widdecombe pictured in the garden of her house on Dartmoor on May 24, 2013  After more than two decades as a Tory MP, she became a Brexit Party MEP and joined Reform UK in 2023 – appearing on TV to back Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election just two days ago.  Sir Keir Starmer led tributes to the 'distinguished politician' while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called her a 'true servant of her constituents'.  Meanwhile Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described Ms Widdecombe as 'a remarkable, principled woman' and said 'our nation is a much, much poorer place without her'.  Mr Du Beke was also among the scores of tributes paid to Ms Widdecombe today, saying he was 'devastated' by the news of her death. 'I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing,' he said. 'She became a real friend. She was fun. She was upbeat. She was positive. She was supportive. 'We had an incredible time together and we stayed firm friends. 'My thoughts go out to all of her nearest and dearest and all her family. This is a sad day and I'm devastated by the news of Ann's passing but I shall remember her fondly, and miss her.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.