Just weeks before her passing, the former MP delivered one last unfiltered message that has reignited fierce arguments over Brexit, sovereignty, and Britain’s future. Refusing to soften her words, she dismissed critics who “moan” about post-Brexit travel and insisted the country had gained far more than it lost. As tributes pour in following her death at 78, many are revisiting what has become her final televised appearance—asking whether her outspoken remarks were a fitting farewell or one last controversy destined to divide opinion

ANN Widdecombe paid a visit to the Channel Islands in her final TV appearance where she gave a scathing verdict on those who “moan” about Brexit.

The former Tory MP, who famously appeared on Strictly, had attended a Ladies Lunch club in Jersey as a guest speaker just weeks before her death, aged 78.

Speaking to ITV, she joked Reform UK and the namesake Reform parties in the Channel Islands were “slightly different”.

And when asked to give one piece of advice to candidates for the region’s forthcoming elections, she said: “Tell the truth”.

“The public doesn’t want you to tell them what you think they want to hear.”

Addressing residents’ concerns on the Islands about the impacts of Brexit, Widdecombe stressed the importance of “sovereignty”.

“I’d say to them that I believe that Britain should make its own laws, control its own borders, should make its own trade deals which it’s been doing since Brexit.”

She went on to say that “there are huge Brexit benefits” and hit back at those who “moan” about queuing at airport e-gates with her hallmark candour.

“We’re the nation that endured the Blitz, we fought for six years to be free and now you’re saying that it’s worth giving up our sovereignty so you can get through the e-gates quicker? I mean spare me, spare me!”

Widdecombe also spoke of her time on the eight series of Strictly Come Dancing, having appeared on the show in 2010 when she was partnered with Anton du Beke.

“I’d say to them that I believe that Britain should make its own laws, control its own borders, should make its own trade deals which it’s been doing since Brexit.”

She went on to say that “there are huge Brexit benefits” and hit back at those who “moan” about queuing at airport e-gates with her hallmark candour.

“We’re the nation that endured the Blitz, we fought for six years to be free and now you’re saying that it’s worth giving up our sovereignty so you can get through the e-gates quicker? I mean spare me, spare me!”

Widdecombe also spoke of her time on the eight series of Strictly Come Dancing, having appeared on the show in 2010 when she was partnered with Anton du Beke.

Widdecombe’s former Tory colleague Nadine Dorries hailed her as “Aunty Ann” in a touching tribute on X, calling her “an incredible parliamentarian”.

Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said the news of Ann’s passing was “devastating” and described her as “absolutely fearless”.