Burnham corrects remarks on Widdecombe murder case

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 15 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has issued a correction after saying a man was responsible for Ann Widdecombe's murder before trial.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has issued a correction after comments he made during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday regarding the death of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative MP and Reform UK justice spokeswoman. In his remarks, he referred to an 'individual' being 'responsible for the murder' of Miss Widdecombe, 78, despite no conviction having been made.

Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, two days after Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon. A trial before a High Court judge is scheduled for 8 June next year, with a plea and case management hearing on 29 January.

Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman raised a point of order, telling MPs that the Prime Minister had spoken 'as though a man awaiting trial has already been convicted of murder'. He said this was a breach of the presumption of innocence, contrary to the rule of law, and noted that according to Commons library guidance, MPs should not refer in debates to matters awaiting adjudication in court. A spokeswoman for the PM said on Thursday that a correction was being issued. She added that the prime minister's 'style is about having frank discussions with the public and being transparent'.

How it is being reported

• Andy Burnham ‘apologises’ for PMQs comments about Ann Widdecombe’s murderThe prime minister was accused of a ‘breach of the presumption of innocence’The Independent · 15 Oct, 13:31
• Andy Burnham Forced To Issue Embarrassing Correction Over Ann Widdecombe PMQs GaffeFormer Tory MP Ann Widdecombe. Andy Burnham has been forced to issue a correction after telling MPs that a man was “responsible for the murder” of Ann Widdecombe . The prime minister made the statement despite the fact that no one has been found guilty over the killing of the former Tory MP. Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon. A trial before a High Court judge is scheduled for June 8 next year, and a plea and case management hearing on January 29. Burnham commented on…HuffPost UK · 15 Oct, 12:11
• Burnham told to apologise over Ann Widdecombe murder case comments during PMQsMr Burnham referred in the House of Commons to the “individual responsible for the murder”, despite the legal process still being in its early stagesThe Independent · 14 Oct, 18:08

In this story: Andy Burnham · Ann Widdecombe · Joshua Kerry · Jesse Norman · Haytor · Dartmoor · Devon

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