The GMB political commentator believed Nigel Farage’s tribute to Ann Widdecombe was a diversion.
Kevin Maguire on GMB (Image: GMB)
Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid was left feeling uncomfortable when guest Kevin Maguire discussed politicians’ reaction towards the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old former Conservative minister-turned-Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday (July 8), having sustained serious injuries.
Reform leader Nigel Farage travelled to Devon to pay tribute to his late Reform UK colleague, Ann Widdecombe – and says that the party has been checking its emails but has not been able to find any pattern of abuse directed at the 78-year-old. He also added that the party is “doing everything we can to support the police in every way”.
Speaking on the tribute, Maguire has caused backlash by calling Farage’s action a “diversion from rows over gifts and donations”.
He told Susanna: “Nigel Farage has come up with three reasons why he took a secret £5 million gift from the Thai-based crypto billionaire. Security was one Reform put out, then said it was a reward for Brexit and then he said you could spend on whatever you like, Ferraris or gambling, but I think if somebody is murdered, a politician is murdered and they’re in your party, one of yours, I personally understand that.
“But because there’s that by-election going on, why it’s become so intensely political and why there was so much pressure on the police because Reform, it’s quite clear, I use the murder as a diversion from rows over the money.”
Susanna interrupted and said, “It’s unfair. They may not want to talk about their donation, but I think accusing them of using it as a diversion is going to feel uncomfortable.”
Ann Widdecombe worked closely with Nigel Farage as Reform spokeswoman (Image: Getty)
Maguire continued: “No, I’ve watched this many times, they don’t want to talk about crypto money and £5 million.” His opinion left viewers feeling outraged as one took it to social media and expressed: “Kevin Maguire was totally out of order by suggesting the Reform Party were using Ann Widdecombe’s death as a cover. Despicable actions. Get him off your programme.”
Another added: “Kevin Maguire is now saying that Farage, Zia and Reform will use Ann Widdecombe’s murder as a diversion to distract from the investigation. That’s just disgusting. What an awful thing to say.”
And a third commented: “The way Maguire acted this morning is outrageous; he hates Reform and could be looked at as part of the reason Ann was murdered. His total denial of Reform’s grief was disgusting.”
Farage laid a floral wreath near the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor as he told the reporters: “I’ve had our security teams going through all of our emails to pick out ones that were sent that either were directly to Ann, or were abusive or about Ann. So, we’re doing everything we can to support the police in every way.”