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Nigel Farage paid tribute to the “irrepressible” Ann Widdecombe at the start of Reform UK’s party conference.

The Party spokeswoman on immigration and justice, 78, died in July when she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.

Speaking to Reform delegates, Mr Farage said: “Someone is missing. The irrepressible, unique, totally extraordinary Ann Widdecombe is missing.

“We thought the only appropriate way to start this conference was to pay tribute to Ann. She was, in my opinion, the best-known female politician in Britain since Margaret Thatcher. No doubt.

“Ann Widdecombe didn’t need autocue. Ann Widdecombe didn’t need notes. She took to the stage with a microphone and she bashed out the message.

“She said things not to court short-term popularity, she said things that she believed truly and deeply in her heart.”

Hundreds of members left heartfelt messages in a book dedicated to Miss Widdecombe at the conference centre in Birmingham.

Among them were Jane and Diane, who spoke to the Express after writing a tribute to the politician.

Jane said: “Ann was just one of those almost old-fashioned MPs who we all knew and remembered fondly. She spoke her mind and was so forthright and individual. She was taken so cruelly and sadly. It’s our first conference. We would have seen Ann. We know we would have seen Ann, and it’s sad that she’s not here as well.”

Diane added: “I just think she was so inspirational and a true patriot really. I loved that about her. I loved her forward thinking and her outspokenness. I think she was a fantastic lady who will be missed by a great many people.”

Miss Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party.

She also found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.