ONE of the most colourful characters in British politics was this week speaking in the West Country during the launch of a new social club.
Ann Widdecombe MP launched the inaugural Central Devon Conservative's Lunch Club on Tuesday.
The event, which will be the first of the monthly lunch club meetings, was held at The Countryman pub, in Sampford Courtenay.
Speaking before the event Mel Stride, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Central Devon, said: 'Ann is an entertaining and colourful figure who is prepared to speak her mind.
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Ms Widdecombe was elected as the MP for Maidstone in 1987, having previously been a candidate in Burnley in 1979 and Plymouth Devonport in 1983.
In November 1990 she was appointed Under Secretary of State for Social Security in John Major's first administration where she specialised in pensions.
Following a period in the Department of Employment Ms Widdecombe was appointed Minister of State Home Office 1995 with responsibility for prisons and immigration.
In opposition she has held the posts of Shadow Health Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary.
After serving as an MP for more than 20 years, Ms Widdecombe recently announced that she will not be seeking re-election at the next general election and has recently moved to Devon.