I am delighted that the Speaker of the House of Commons has confirmed that this portrait of Ann Widdecombe will be on show in Parliament, following her tragic death earlier this year.
For two decades, Ann represented Maidstone and the wider Kent community with dedication and determination. She was a tireless champion for her constituents, leaving a lasting legacy in the community she served and an indelible mark on our national political life.
I hope this portrait is the start of a lasting tribute to Ann, with work now underway to explore a more permanent commemoration on the Parliamentary estate.
The photograph was taken by Nick Ray in 2010 as part of a project commissioned by the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art to add portraits of notable parliamentarians to the Parliamentary Art Collection. It was photographed in Cloister Corridor within the Palace of Westminster.
