Ann Widdecombe murder accused due in court over alleged Nigel Farage terror plot

Ann Widdecombe murder accused due in court over alleged Nigel Farage terror plot Joshua Kerry, the man accused of murdering former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe, will appear in court over an alleged plot against the Reform UK leader today The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe is set to make his first court appearance in relation to an alleged terror plot against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts relating to alleged activity between May 31, 2024 and July 8, 2026, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) announced on Friday (October 2). Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Miss Widdecombe, 78, died on July 8 after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, a court previously heard. Kerry, of Byrley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is also accused of her murder. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face the fresh charge today. In August, CTP reopened a year-long probe into an alleged firebomb attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London. The Metropolitan Police and CTP London said they investigated the incident as an “attempted burglary”, but made no arrests before 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”. Senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, 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.” Kerry's arrest and charge will lead to increased protection for MPs, according Shabana Mahmood. The Home Secretary said terror charges were "extremely concerning" and raised “serious questions” about the security of MPs. In a statement issued on Friday, she added: “My profound sympathies are with Nigel Farage and his family. Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all. “This case raises serious questions about the security of those in public life. We must use this as an opportunity to reset. Once Parliament returns, I will update on our work to strengthen protections for those who choose to serve.”