Ann Widdecombe as Vatican Ambassador?

Interesting piece of speculation here in Kent News.

Ann Widdecombe has played down reports that she has been approached to become the next British ambassador to the Vatican.

The Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald, who is standing down at the next election, was responding to reports in the national press that she was front-runner for the Holy See position.

“I have not heard a single official whisper,” she said. “All the comments have all come from my friends but I’m not sure about where it’s come from.

Although she's playing it down, it's still not inconceivable or improbable. Widdecombe would make a very good ambassador, although one can't help feeling she's more needed back home. Lord Alton, also quoted in the article, would also make a very good representative at the Vatican. However, the current ambassador, Francis Campbell, may be staying on beyond June next year, and as far as I know the position is expected to eventually go to another career diplomat.