Prosecutors say anti-Reform hostility motivated Widdecombe murder charge
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
Prosecutors told a court on Friday that they would allege Joshua Kerry's murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe "has a terrorist connection" and was motivated by extreme left-wing hostility to Reform UK. Kerry, 28, is charged with both Widdecombe's killing and a separate terrorism offence relating to Nigel Farage. Prosecutors argued his radical ideology links both cases and that he had compiled a list of politicians and prominent figures to target.
Widdecombe was struck on the head 21 times with a hammer at her home in Devon on 8 July. Kerry is accused of researching these figures and attempting to gain entry to Farage's home. He appeared by video link from Belmarsh prison and was remanded in custody until a January hearing without entering pleas.
- Joshua Kerry charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe, motivated by left-wing hostility to Reform
- Victim struck on head 21 times with hammer at her Devon home
- Kerry also faces terrorism charge related to Nigel Farage
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Ann Widdecombe was a former Member of Parliament who died on 8 July after being struck on the head with a hammer at her home in Devon. She had been a politician for many years before retiring from parliament.
Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old man, has been charged with her murder and with a terrorism offence relating to Nigel Farage. Kerry is accused of researching prominent figures, attempting to reach Farage's home, and compiling a list that included both Farage and Widdecombe.
Farage is the founder of Reform UK, a political party. The combination of murder and terrorism charges indicates authorities are investigating whether Kerry's actions were motivated by political views, rather than being a random or personal attack.
Full account
Prosecutors have alleged that a man charged with murdering former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was driven by an extreme left-wing ideology and particular antipathy towards the Reform party. Joshua Kerry, aged 28 and from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, appeared in court on Friday facing both murder charges and a separate count of engaging in preparation for terrorist acts, with the Crown asserting that the two offences are inextricably linked through a common political motivation.
Ms Widdecombe, aged 78, was found dead at her Haytor home in Devon on 9 July, having sustained fatal injuries during an assault at her residence. Prosecutors contend she was struck on the head with a hammer on 8 July whilst taking lunch, and they have characterised her killing as politically and ideologically motivated rather than a random act of violence. The alleged terrorist dimension of the murder forms the basis for the joined prosecution case.
Kerry was separately charged with conduct in preparation of terrorist acts between May 2024 and July 2025, during which period prosecutors say he conducted research into prominent figures and sought to gain access to locations of significance to them. Specifically, the court heard that he travelled to the South London residence of Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, in April 2025 and attempted to breach its security. Prosecutors revealed that Kerry had compiled a list of politicians and prominent individuals including Mr Farage and Ms Widdecombe, though the identities of other names on the list were not disclosed.
The two charges have been consolidated into a single case following the judge's ruling that they are fundamentally linked. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb has scheduled a five-week trial for June 2026. Ms Widdecombe had served as Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald for 23 years and held ministerial office during the Major administration; following her parliamentary career, she maintained a public profile through television appearances and later became associated with Reform UK. Kerry appeared before the court by video link from Belmarsh prison and was remanded in custody pending trial, with his defence counsel indicating he would contest all charges.
Where outlets differ
Source 2 provides the specific trial date (8 June 2026) and identifies the judge and defence counsel; Source 1 only mentions remand until a January hearing
Source 2 includes substantial biographical details about Widdecombe's parliamentary career and television appearances; Source 1 provides no biographical context
Source 2 specifies that Farage's home is located in South London; Source 1 provides no location detail
Source 2 specifies that Kerry travelled to Farage's home on 19 April 2025 and characterises this as 15 months before Widdecombe's death; Source 1 provides no specific date for this alleged visit
Source 1 names prosecutor Jonathan Polnay; Source 2 does not identify prosecutors by name
Source 1 refers to the charge as 'engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts'; Source 2 simplifies this to 'preparing terrorist acts'
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Man charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe and targeting Nigel Farage was motivated by extreme left-wing mindset and hostility to Reform, court hears”.