‘He Shouldn’t Have Said That’: David Lammy Sparks Fury Over ‘Horrible’ Ann Widdecombe Remark
David Lammy has come under heavy criticism after comments he made following the death of former Conservative minister and Reform UK campaigner Ann Widdecombe resurfaced. The veteran politician was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday, July 9, after suffering serious injuries. Police later confirmed they had launched a murder investigation, describing the incident as a targeted attack. A 28-year-old white man has since been arrested, while Counter Terrorism Policing has taken over the investigation because of the circumstances surrounding the case.
The latest developments have raised fresh concerns about the safety and security of politicians across the UK. Many public figures from different political parties have paid tribute to Widdecombe since news of her death broke. However, some of those messages have come under scrutiny after previous remarks made about her were brought back into the spotlight.
During his GB News programme, presenter Patrick Christys criticised several Labour politicians, arguing that some of those now expressing sympathy had previously used harsh language against Ann Widdecombe while she was alive. He singled out David Lammy, claiming the Foreign Secretary’s past comments did not match the tone of his recent tribute.
Christys reminded viewers of remarks made by Lammy in 2019 after Widdecombe suggested that science might one day find an explanation for homosexuality. At the time, Lammy strongly condemned her comments, describing them as harmful and accusing her of promoting views that he believed belonged in the past. He also said that people with similar opinions wanted to push minorities aside and take Britain backwards.
The GB News presenter went on to highlight other controversial comments Lammy has made over the years. He referred to previous interviews in which Lammy compared some Brexit rhetoric to dangerous political movements, comments that attracted widespread attention at the time. Christys also mentioned another occasion when Lammy faced criticism after making remarks about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, which later prompted him to issue a clarification.
The debate then shifted to Lammy’s latest statement condemning an incident involving an effigy of Andy Burnham. Reports said a Green Party activist was seen at a transgender rights protest where demonstrators repeatedly stabbed darts into an effigy representing the Greater Manchester Mayor. Responding to the incident, Lammy described the behaviour as disgraceful and stressed that all political leaders have a responsibility to condemn threats and violence against elected representatives.
In his statement, Lammy said the incident had happened only days after the murder of a senior politician and warned that attacks and threats against public figures should never be accepted in a democratic society. He also called on the Green Party leadership to take appropriate action over the matter.
Christys argued that Lammy was not in a strong position to lecture others about political language because of his own previous comments aimed at Widdecombe, Brexit supporters and Reform politicians. His criticism has since sparked further debate online, with supporters and critics disagreeing over whether past political attacks should influence how tributes are viewed following the death of a public figure. Meanwhile, police continue their investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s killing as detectives work to establish the full circumstances behind what they believe was a targeted attack.
