Nigel Farage reveals he secretly underwent surgery day before Ann Widdecombe’s ‘murder’

NewsPolitics NIGEL Farage has revealed he secretly underwent surgery just a day before the death of Ann Widdecombe. The Reform UK boss admitted he went “under the knife” for abdominal surgery the day before the veteran politician was killed. The revelation came as Mr Farage was out campaigning to win back his Clacton seat in the unusual by-election he triggered after resigning as an MP last month, saying voters should judge his conduct rather than his critics. The Reform UK leader told The Spectator: “The spooky thing is, of course, she was killed in the middle of defending me. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! “She’d done two interviews that morning. Had another one coming up, all defending me. That’s a very, very strange feeling. I adored her.” The Reform UK chief did not reveal why he needed the abdominal surgery or provide further details about the operation. He made the comments while brushing aside criticism over his financial backers and insisting he would not abandon “trusted friends” unless they “betray” him. Mr Farage, who went under general anaesthetic for a routine procedure, told The Sun: “I’m not dying, so that’s ok!” The party is battling questions over its funding after reports about donations linked to wealthy backer George Cottrell. The party insists it complied with electoral law, while the Metropolitan Police are investigating whether donations to Reform may have circumvented political funding rules. Most read in The Sun Mr Farage is widely expected to win the August 13 Clacton by-election after Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all decided not to field candidates.