Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, faces charges for the murder of Ann Widdecombe and a terror plot aganst Nigel Farage. According to the Metropolitan Police, the charges include preparing for acts of terrorism.
The 21 hammer blows in a Devon kitchen
Prosecutors allege that Ann Widdecombe was killed during a "planned and targeted attack" in her kitchen at her property in Haytor on Dartmoor. The report states that the former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokeswoman was struck 21 times over the head with a hammer while having lunch.. The attack was remarkably brief; Kerry is accused of tipping her from her chair and stealing a wallet from her handbag before fleeing the scene within just two minutes.
Widdecombe’s body was discovered on July 11 after she failed to attend a scheduled online interview for Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show . her family gardener eventually found the 78-year-old politician lying face down on the kitchen floor with a serious head injury. A provisional murder trial date has been set for next summer.
Re-opening the 2025 arson attempt on Nigel Farage
The new terrorism charge against Kerry involves alleged activity occurring between May 31, 2024, and July 8, 2026 .. as reported by the Metropolitan Police, this charge is linked to a previous incident in early 2025 where a lit incendiary device was shoved through Nigel Farage's letterbox in Greater London. while the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London initially investigated the incident as an attempted burglary and closed the case, the investigation was re-opened following Widdecombe's death.
This re-examination suggests a potential connection between the violence directed at the Reform UK spokeswoman and the previous arson attempt on the party's leader. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans noted that the charge is the result of intensive work by detectives, analysts, and forensic experts across the Counter Terrorism Policing network.
An IOPC probe into missed leads at CTP London
The investigation has highlighted significant procedural failures within the police force. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating the conduct of a CTP London staff member following allegations that an employee failed to identify and pursue a critical line of inquiry. This oversight occurred during the initial investigation into the incident at Farage's home.
While the police have emphasized the tireless work of their investigators, the watchdog's involvement suggests that the link between these two high-profile targets may have been overlooked by authorities at the time. The investigation into the staff member's conduct remains a key component of the broader fallout from these violent incidents.
The search for other targets in the Kerry plot
The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed whether other individuals were intended victims of the alleged terror plot. While the charges specifically name Nigel Farage, the full scope of the conspiracy remains unverified. This lack of clarity leaves a significant question for security experts: was this a targeted campaign against Reform UK specifically, or a broader attempt to destabilize political figures through extreme violence?
Shabana Mahmood’s call for a security reset
The severity of the charges has prompted a response from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who described the developments as "extremely concerning." Mahmood noted that an attack on any political figure constitutes an attack on the democratic process itself. In light of the Widdecombe murder and the Farage terror charge, the Home Secretary has pledged to update Parliament on strengthening protections for those in public service once the current session concludes.
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