Burnham forced to correct record over Ann Widdecombe murder case blunder

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Burnham forced to correct record over Ann Widdecombe murder case blunder George Thompson & Rhiannon James Thursday 15 October 2026 14:26 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Related: Burnham quizzed on Manchester City scandal during heated PMQs Prime minister Andy Burnham has apologised and corrected the official Hansard record after claiming during Prime Minister’s Questions that an individual was responsible for the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe . Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman accused Mr Burnham of a breach of the presumption of innocence and misleading the House, stating that treating a defendant awaiting trial as convicted violates the rule of law. Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with the murder of 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe and an alleged terror plot against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage , with his trial scheduled for June next year. Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell defended Mr Burnham in the House of Commons , explaining that the Prime Minister misspoke but had duly acknowledged the error, apologised, and rectified the record. Under parliamentary sub judice rules, MPs are generally restricted from referring to active legal proceedings to avoid influencing trial outcomes, despite Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle granting a limited waiver for this case. In full Andy Burnham ‘apologises’ for comments about Ann Widdecombe’s murder at PMQs