Police dogs at Ann Widdecombe's funeral

A private funeral for Ann Widdecombe took place at Buckfast Abbey in Devon on 12 August. Police and sniffer dogs guarded the grounds — rare at a UK funeral. The former Conservative minister and Brexit Party MEP died aged 78 on 8 July 2026 after a hammer attack. Abbot David Charlesworth led the service. A public memorial is expected later this year.