Man, 28, charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe

A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on 9 July after sustaining serious injuries. Widdecombe spoke to Mark Dolan by video-link on Talk TV just after 8am on 8 July, and police believe she was attacked at about 12.30pm the same day. In an update on Monday, Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division (SCCTD) said: “We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor. “Police enquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection. “Our prosecutors have worked closely with the 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. “We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial. “It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.” In a separate statement read outside New Scotland Yard, head of UK counter-terrorism policing Laurence Taylor said that Kerry “is still in custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning for his first hearing. “It remains the case that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.” Andy Burnham said that a “serious review” was needed into MPs’ security following the incident. The Prime Minister said: “It’s obviously appalling what happened to Ann. I knew Ann over many years in the House, and you know, we would get along – and everybody would get along. “But it feels as though something has changed. It’s easy to blame social media, but it feels like it’s having some impact in just building that kind of toxicity that’s around the political debate.” Burnham said the issue could not be solved by “easy, glib answers,” adding: “I do think we need now a serious review of MPs’ security. I certainly am prepared to do that.” Widdecombe’s death follows the murders of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021 and Labour’s Jo Cox in 2016. This is a breaking news story and is being updated.