Widdecombe murder suspect charged with planning terror act against Farage

Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts relating to alleged activity between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said.

It comes after the Reform spokeswoman and former Conservative minister died on July 8 after being hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, a court previously heard.

Mr Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, is also accused of her murder.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Joshua Kerry appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in July

PA Wire

Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, said: “We have been running a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time.

“The charge announced today is a result of the tireless work of investigators across the Counter Terrorism Policing network.

“This investigation has been led by a dedicated team of detectives, analysts, and forensic experts, working on multiple lines of enquiry, which has resulted in this very serious charge.”

In August, CTP reopened a probe into an alleged firebomb attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London.

Ann Widdecombe with Nigel Farage

PA

The Metropolitan Police and CTP London said they investigated the incident as an “attempted burglary”, but made no arrests and the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.

Following its reopening, CTP London identified a line of inquiry which it said “may have been relevant” but had not been “identified and pursued by them at the time”.

The Reform UK leader told the Daily Telegraph in April that a lit incendiary device was pushed through his letterbox early last year in what he described as an “outright arson attempt”.

He was away from his home at the time and discovered the damage when he returned, saying the device had “luckily” burned itself out in the porch.

Police investigated but had not identified any suspects, Mr Farage told the newspaper.

After the latest charge was announced, chief crown prosecutor Frank Ferguson, of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Having carefully reviewed the evidence, we have made the decision to prosecute Joshua Kerry for engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts.

“Our prosecutors have worked closely with police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.”