ANN Widdecombe was hailed as a “colossus” of British politics as mourners including Reform UK figureheads paid tribute near her home.
Top politicians gathered in Haytor, Devon, down the road from the £600,000 bungalow where the 78-year-old political grandee is believed to have died from shocking head injuries at Wednesday lunchtime.
Mr Tice, Zia Yusuf, Lee Anderson and Danny Kruger all laid floral tributes after Reform boss Nigel Farage visited yesterday.
It follows a special Mass at Ms Widdecombe’s regular church, where pals told of their shock and horror at losing their friend.
It comes after a 28-year-old man was arrested in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, over her death.
The white British national was held overnight on Saturday, more than 200 miles from the scene of the brutal fatal assault.
It is believed to have taken place just 10 minutes after she texted a Channel 5 researcher about appearing on TV.
Police have insisted that they do not believe there was a political or terror-based motive for the killing.
Officers are continuing to search her home and the surrounding area, with almost the entire village of Haytor now cordoned off to non-residents.
This afternoon, Mr Tice told a crowd of more than 50 people that Britain had lost “a national treasure” and revealed he had spoken with Ann only two days before she was slaughtered in her own Dartmoor home.
The senior Reform figure held back tears as he looked at a floral tribute site laid out for Ms Widdecombe, which includes sunflowers and a black and white framed photo.
Mr Tice said: “We have so much to learn from our Ann.
“She would quite happily go the length and breadth of the country, to send a message, to speak to people who wanted to hear from her.”
Although not yet confirmed by police, when asked about Nigel Farage’s belief that the attack was premeditated, Mr Tice told The Sun: “We’re all in a difficult, sad place, and the police have arrested one person, released them, arrested another person that may or may not be the right person.
“We have to let them crack on with their job, and hopefully they can give us some information.”
“It’s unbelievable that someone would want to do this to Ann.
“I spoke to her last Monday – it was a good, proper conversation, and then I had a nice text message on Tuesday, and then Thursday we heard the news.
“Initially, you assume she’s had a terrible stroke, or whatever, and then the further news comes out.
“I had a call from the Chief Constable telling me that there was going to be a press conference, and to prepare for the worst on Friday.
“Separately, there are some very serious issues around the safety of MPs that need sorting out.”
Reform’s Lee Anderson told The Sun that Reform politicians faced a heightened risk of attack.
Asked about the risks of public life, he said: “We’ve had a problem with security, especially for Reform MPs.
“We get a lot of threats – there are people in prison for threatening me.
“But this sort of brings it home and makes you realise it’s real, and we’ve got full-time security.
“It’s something I never wanted, because I thought we should live in a society where politicians haven’t got to have security, but we have now. It’s incredibly sad.”
Earlier in the day, 250 people packed into Buckfast Abbey, just six miles from Ms Widdecombe’s home.
Special tributes were paid to the regular worshipper, who typically attended every weekend.
Starting the service, the Right Reverend Dom David Charlesworth said: “I would ask you to remember Ann Widdecombe in your prayers.
“She was in regular attendance at mass.
“It’s very sad not to see her here today. “Please also think of her family at this time.”
Later in the Mass, the Reverend added: “Let us pray for all those who have died recently, especially Ann Widdecombe.
“May her faith carry her into the arms of our Lord, where love reigns.”
Her church friends also paid special tributes to the devout Catholic, who was said to have stopped in for a coffee after every Sunday service.
Pal Sharon Baeru said: “She was an amazing woman, she was loved by so many. It’s devastating news.
“I knew her and saw her at the mass. She was here last weekend.
“She was a great listener, you could speak to her and after she’d remember what you’d spoken about and recall it the next week.
“I was gobsmacked by the news because I’d only seen her four days before.
Josephine Collins, who often sat and had coffee with Ann, added: “I can’t even think about it, else I’ll cry. I’ve been so sad about it.
“We spoke about ordinary things. She was a deeply spiritual person.
“She was modest, people say all these things, ‘How can people say nice things about her?’, but she was thoroughly nice.
“I don’t like to think she lay there for hours on end. It’s horrific.
“I just hope it wasn’t someone she knew.”
Davina Hamilton-Lake, 76, said: “She was very helpful to everyone in the community and came here on and off over the years.
“We will all miss her. She would sit at our table and bring others into the group at our coffee meetings after Mass.
“I got the impression that she enjoyed being alone but was a very good socialiser, and enjoyed conversation.
“Perhaps that’s why she came to Dartmoor – she felt at peace here.”