This woman had guts, intelligence and the courage of her convictions. All are qualities I admire. She could debate robustly with those who disagreed with her, without trying to stymie or stifle their opinions. I respect genuine religious conviction - on which a lot of her views were predicated - albeit I don't share that political or spirtual worldview.
I'd take a hundred Ann Widdecombes over one cardboard cutout 'royal'. This was a woman of substance, the kind this country sorely needs. Nor do I care in the circumstances what her views were. Nobody, nobody deserves this - nor do they deserve the kind of ridicule she got in life, to which she responded with such grace.
I'm sorry about her death irrespective of the other awful details now unfolding.