Inside Ann Widdecombe’s close bond with family of murdered MP Sir David Amess

0Ann Widdecombe (Image: Getty)Katie Amess, daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess, has opened up about Ann Widdecombe's close bond with their family: "She was best friends with my dad"The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has revealed Ann Widdecombe's close bond with their family and described her as "a great source of strength and a beacon of hope" for them.

Katie Amess says she still has "so many unanswered questions" five years on from her father's fatal stabbing at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on October 15 2021. She has been campaigning for a public inquiry following the death of her father,69, who was killed by Ali Harbi Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church.

Ali, who was convicted in 2022 and handed a whole life order for murder and the preparation of terrorist acts, had previously been referred to the anti-radicalisation scheme Prevent, though his case was closed in 2016. Ms Amess, 41, described what befell her father as "just absolutely heartbreaking and completely traumatising".

The Government has commissioned an independent review that will explore missed opportunities that could have prevented Sir David's murder. The review will be led by former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland KC, with the aim of establishing how the killing was able to occur, identifying lessons to be learned, and recommending measures to reduce the risk of future tragedies.

Ms Amess confirmed she welcomed the review while continuing to push for a full public inquiry, where witnesses could be legally compelled to appear.

"It's definitely been a frustrating process because obviously I've been fighting for five years now," she said.

"As the victim's daughter, I shouldn't have to do that. There should have just been an inquiry automatically, straight away. Still, five years later, I'm having to plead my case as to why my dad, myself, and the public needs these answers. I'm just hoping that (Mr) Buckland does get the answers and if he doesn't, we'll just get it through the inquiry."

She continued: "I just want to stress the emotional turmoil that all of this has taken and you would think that after this happened the Government would want to help the family of their former colleague of 40 years – but it definitely didn't play out that way."

Ms Amess revealed she remains fearful for politicians' safety following the killing of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, in July.

She explained that Ms Widdecombe, whom she refers to as "aunt Ann", was her sister's godmother and she "knew her my whole life". She said: "She was best friends with my dad. They had so many shared issues together with animals and Catholicism, and just being people who really wanted to help rather than gain political points.

"It's just such a tragedy that it happened to her as well now." She recalled: "After what happened to dad, she was our family spokesperson.

"She came to Southend and stayed with us and she would talk to the police and talk to the press. She did the eulogy at the funeral, she helped plan his funeral, she was just a great source of strength and a beacon of hope for us, so it's very tragic that now she's gone as well."

Speaking ahead of the anniversary of her father's death, she added: "I can't believe that it's been five years. It seems like yesterday – but at the same time it seems like many, many years ago since I saw him last. It's definitely hard."

Ms Amess, who resides in Los Angeles in the US, said she was going to have a mass said for her father and then some friends from church were joining her for dinner. She said: "Obviously I live in Los Angeles but my family's in England, so I just want to be around supportive people. I've had lots of messages of support already so I know people will be thinking of him and praying for him on the day."