My darling pal Ann Widdecombe: He spoke to her the day before she died. Here, shocked and saddened beyond measure, ANDREW PIERCE recalls their brandy-soaked dinners - and how they pulled a fast one on David Cameron ⊖

Yesterday afternoon, as I heard the TV news anchor reporting that 'police had launched a murder inquiry', I could hardly believe that they were talking about my treasured friend Ann Widdecombe.