Political commentator Adam Boulton has apologised for seriously wrong and insensitive” comments he made about Ann Widdecombe amid a murder probe into her death.
Mr Boulton initially refused to say sorry after he sparked outrage for labelling the former Tory minister, who was found dead at her Dartmoor home with serious injuries on Thursday morning, a “spinster” and “old maid” on live television.
The ex-Sky News presenter, who described himself as a “reporter who knew her for decades”, was called “truly vile” for the comments.
In a climdown over his comments, he said on Saturday: “I got the timing and tone of my initial word portrait of her wrong. Of course I shared, and share, the horror at her murder and the respect for her remarkable and feisty political career.
“I also know that many people loved her for her subsequent showbiz stardom. Her untimely death is a horrible thing.”
Speaking on live television after news of the murder probe, he said of Ms Widdecombe: “She was very much a spinster, by the end I think you’d probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.”
In an apology shared to X, Mr Boulton added: “My mistaken view was that in the context of rolling news coverage, I was being asked to contribute as an obituarist who has known her and interacted with her since the 1980s. This approach was premature.
“At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her, that's not what I do. I was discussing her life in the round, based on the record of known facts and what she has said about herself, along with some recollections of our personal interactions. My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy. I did not intend to offend though obviously I did.”
Former Tory chancellor and Reform UK member, Nadhim Zahawi hit out at Mr Bolton’s initial comments, writing on X: “I hope Adam apologises and retracts these vile remarks immediately.
“Awful, twisted and utterly without decency,” he added.
Mr Boulton responded on Friday: “No thanks. I stick to the facts. You and your ilk should stop trying to exploit the horrific death of a national personality. Police say no evidence of political or terror motive.”
He said: “Widders herself never gilded the lily and would expect nothing less.”
Reform MP Robert Jenrick also condemned his comment, saying: “Boulton shows his true colours here. Ann had her detractors but she had the good grace to be able to see beyond politics. She was far too kind to use that kind of language to describe her political rivals.”
Former Olympic swimmer and women’s rights activist Sharron Davies wrote: “These men are truly vile… (don’t like women with views). Lots of things I disagreed with Ann Widdecombe on, but these are very unpleasant & unnecessary comments.
“Committed to her beliefs & extremely hard working would have also sufficed. When people show you who they are, believe them.”
Ms Widdecombe had previously described herself as “toothy, dumpy, and a spinster”.
A manhunt is currently underway to find her killer after a 26-year-old British man arrested on suspicion of her murder on Friday was released and is “no longer part of the investigation”.
Detectives believe the former Tory minister was attacked 24 hours after she was found dead. It was revealed earlier that she had failed to show up for a planned video interview with Channel 5 on Wednesday afternoon and could not be reached, despite multiple efforts to contact her.
The Independent approached Sky News for comment.
