Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister, adopted a resilient approach to her personal safety during her political career, stating she would discard death threats from groups like the IRA. This stance persisted even after the murder of her parliamentary colleague Sir David Amess by an Islamic State fanatic.
Widdecombe, known for her socially conservative views on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, was frequently a target for activists. However, the 78-year-old Brexiteer described her attitude toward potential threats as "very robust." She recalled receiving death threats periodically, and when staff offered to contact the police, she would instruct them to "put it in the bin." Her reasoning was that if an organization like the IRA intended to act, they would not provide advance warning, citing the assassination of Airey Neave in 1979 as an example.
"I still take that attitude," Widdecombe said in an October interview. "I do know that we’re in a slightly different world but I think it’s crucial that MPs and their constituents intermingle freely."
She maintained that Sir David Amess, who was fatally stabbed in October 2021 while holding a constituency surgery, shared this belief. Widdecombe stated she told Sir David's widow that he would not have wanted his death to be a reason for MPs to distance themselves from their constituents. Widdecombe believes it is essential for Members of Parliament to be able to interact with the public directly, such as by walking through towns and speaking with constituents on a Saturday afternoon.
Widdecombe's political positions, including her opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, and her support for the death penalty, led to her being a target for protests and demonstrations. For instance, during her 2008 "Passion for Life" tour, which opposed amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, she faced heckling. Throughout her parliamentary career, she consistently voted against legislation supporting gay rights, including civil partnerships and the Equality Act.
In a separate incident in April 2000, while serving as shadow home secretary, Widdecombe had a custard pie thrown at her face during a book signing. The protestor opposed the Conservative Party's immigration policies. Widdecombe reportedly remained unfazed, cleaning the custard off and continuing the event. She characterized the incident as a "mindless waste of police time carried out by people who clearly have no respect for free speech."