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Farage left ‘horrified by very serious policing error’ as Ann Widdecombe murder detectives reopen their probe into bid to firebomb his home
Nigel Farage says he was "horrified" after counter-terrorism police reopened an investigation into an attempt to firebomb his home last year, admitting a "very serious policing error" had occurred. The development came amid the ongoing investigation into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, with the same counter-terrorism unit involved and referring itself to the police watchdog over its handling of the earlier arson incident.
Officers said they had identified a line of inquiry into the April 2025 attack on Farage's home that was not pursued at the time; Farage has always described it as arson rather than the "attempted burglary" police initially recorded, noting the fire burned itself out on his porch before he returned home. Counter Terrorism Policing has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which confirmed it is investigating a CTP London staff member's conduct. Separately, Widdecombe, 78, died on 8 July after being struck with a hammer 21 times at her Dartmoor home, with Joshua Kerry, 28, charged with her murder; Farage also revealed he and Reform deputy leader Richard Tice are suing the National Crime Agency over an alleged illegal leak of their financial information, seeking over £25,000 in damages.
In short
- Police reopen probe into 2025 firebomb attempt on Farage's home
- Counter-terrorism unit self-refers to watchdog over "policing error"
- Comes amid separate investigation into Ann Widdecombe's murder
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The police's identification of a previously unreported line of inquiry and transparent admission of error, coupled with self-referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, demonstrates proper accountability within a functioning system. Recognising and correcting investigative failures in this manner, rather than concealing mistakes, reflects responsible conduct and ensures cases receive appropriate scrutiny and resources.
The case against
The original misclassification of an apparent firebombing attack as attempted burglary represents a grave investigative failure that endangered a prominent public figure and undermined the security investigation. That such a serious error only emerged later raises substantial questions about the counter-terrorism unit's competence, particularly concerning given the same unit's subsequent involvement in the Ann Widdecombe murder investigation.
Explained simply
Counter-terrorism police investigate serious threats and attacks, including the reported attempt to set fire to Nigel Farage’s home in April 2025. Police initially recorded that incident as an attempted burglary; Farage has described it as arson. The force has since said it failed to pursue a line of inquiry and referred a staff member’s conduct to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The same police unit is involved in investigating the killing of Ann Widdecombe, who died after being attacked at her home in July. Joshua Kerry has been charged with her murder; a charge is an accusation, and does not establish guilt. The cases have drawn attention to how police handle investigations and how errors are examined.