TV presenter issues apology after 'vile' comments about Ann Widdecombe amid murder investigation
Following the news of a murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death, Adam Boulton was slammed for making ‘vile’ comments about her.
The former Conservative MP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday (9 July), with a police update this afternoon reporting that she’s believed to have been attacked 24 hours before this.
A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe’s murder on Friday afternoon, but Devon and Cornwall police confirmed this morning that he had been released and was no longer part of the investigation.
Speaking on live TV after news of the murder probe, Boulton labelled the Reform UK spokeswoman a ‘spinster’ and an ‘old maid’.
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The former Sky News presenter has now issued an apology for his ‘mistaken view’.
The political commentator had said during a TV appearance: “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.”
Boulton was instantly hit with backlash, with his remarks slammed as ‘vile’ and initially, he refused to apologise saying he sticks ‘to the facts’.
However, earlier this morning, he took to X with ‘AN APOLOGY’.
“I was seriously wrong and insensitive in one of the several media appearances I made yesterday in reaction to the death of Ann Widdecombe. I got the timing and tone of my initial word portrait of her wrong,” Boulton wrote.
“Of course I shared, and share, the horror at her murder and the respect for her remarkable and feisty political career. I also know that many people loved her for her subsequent showbiz stardom. Her untimely death is a horrible thing.”
“My mistaken view was that in the context of rolling news coverage, I was being asked to contribute as an obituarist who has known her and interacted with her since the 1980s.”
Continuing, the journalist said: “This approach was premature. At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her, that's not what I do.
“I was discussing her life in the round, based on the record of known facts and what she has said about herself, along with some recollections of our personal interactions. My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy.
“I did not intend to offend though obviously I did.”
He also followed-up to say: "I am a freelance contributor to a number of outlets. I am responsible for what I say, not those who I work for. I make this apology freely because I now recognise I got this badly wrong. It is on me. I also apologise to @SkyNews and @TimesRadio for the unwarranted criticism they have received for my own mistake."
Widdecombe was found dead at her home at around 11:40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
Police have now said it’s believed she was attacked on Wednesday at around 12:30pm.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious but added: “We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public.”
He said: “Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.”
Jess Battison