# Burnham told to apologise over Widdecombe case comments

> The Prime Minister faced calls to withdraw remarks about a murder case still in early legal proceedings, breaching the presumption of innocence.
- Title: Burnham told to apologise over Widdecombe case comments
- Summary: The Prime Minister faced calls to withdraw remarks about a murder case still in early legal proceedings, breaching the presumption of innocence. Andy Burnham…
- Keywords: andy burnham, ann widdecombe, joshua kerry, presumption of innocence, prime minister's questions, sub judice rule, politics, news, Burnham, told, apologise, Widdecombe
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-burnham-ann-widdecombe-jesse-norman-b3066877.html
- Published: 2026-10-14T22:39:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, ann widdecombe, joshua kerry, presumption of innocence, prime minister's questions, sub judice rule, politics, news
## Burnham criticised over murder case remarks
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Andy Burnham commented on the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe, saying an individual was responsible for her murder.
## Norman calls out breach of legal principle
Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman told MPs that Burnham's remarks breached the presumption of innocence, which goes back to Magna Carta and applies without exception.

> A man is innocent until proven guilty. The presumption of innocence goes back to Magna Carta. It applies without exception.
## Norman demands apology and withdrawal
Norman said the Prime Minister had spoken as though a man awaiting trial had already been convicted, directly contrary to the rule of law and potentially contempt of court.

> The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has just publicly spoken as though a man awaiting trial has already been convicted of murder.
## Case details and legal timeline
Joshua Kerry, twenty eight, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July eleven, two days after Ann Widdecombe, seventy eight, was found dead at her property in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.
## Trial scheduled and waiver granted
A trial before a High Court judge is scheduled for June eight next year. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle granted a limited waiver allowing MPs to refer to charges but not discuss case details or speculate…
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham was told to apologise after saying an individual was responsible for Ann Widdecombe's murder during Prime Minister's Questions, despite the case being sub judice.