Sky News presenter Adam Boulton has been widely criticised for describing the late Ann Widdecombe as a 'spinster' and 'old maid' during a broadcast about the murder investigation into her death. The 67-year-old Times Radio host made the remarks on Friday evening, hours after Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed Widdecombe's death was being treated as suspicious.
Boulton's Controversial Comments
Appearing on Sky News, Boulton said: 'She was very much a spinster. By the end, I think you'd probably describe her as an old maid.' He then discussed her personal life, including a past relationship and her claim of being a virgin. 'Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin. 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,' he added.
Boulton continued: '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.' He also noted her television career, including appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother, and her writing, saying she wrote books 'with no sex and violence in them' and a book about her cats.
Social Media Backlash
Thousands of social media users condemned Boulton's remarks. @NicholasLissack wrote on X: '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.' He called it 'misogynistic poison'. @avivaelias questioned: 'Why is he so fixated on her single status? Would you EVER say that about a man in the same position?'
@ExpatCayman described Boulton's comments as 'bottom of the barrel', while @Isabelsauntie demanded an apology, calling the remarks 'absolutely vile'. @LeilaniDowding tweeted: 'What the hell is wrong with people. How do you come on TV after a murder and talk like this.'
Some noted that Widdecombe had spoken publicly about her private life, but @SashaRibobshkiy probed: 'But why are we talking about whether or not a 78-year-old is a virgin?' @VelvetBarstool echoed: 'Women who never marry receive the most opprobrium and stigmatisation in our society. It's awful.'
Murder Investigation Details
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday, July 9, with serious injuries. A murder investigation was launched, and a 26-year-old white British male suspect was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, a short distance from Widdecombe's residence. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that while police presence is heightened and counter-terrorism policing has been consulted, the death is not being treated as terror-related.
Longman said it is 'too early to comment further' on whether the suspect was known to the victim or on a possible motive. Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declined to speculate on political motivation, stressing the importance of 'rising above any political differences'. Police have no reason to believe the murder was politically motivated.
Tributes and Reactions
Widdecombe's management, Cloud9 Management, said they are 'absolutely devastated' and urged the public to respect the family's privacy. Her neighbour Susan Coysh described her as 'a character and a lovely lady' who 'kept to herself'. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed shock, saying: 'I don't understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person.'
Nigel Farage, who worked with Widdecombe in the Brexit Party and Reform UK, said he was 'deeply, deeply upset' by the news, calling her 'a remarkable, principled woman'. Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, then as a Brexit Party MEP in 2019, and later as a Reform UK spokeswoman until her death.
