Crime & Public Safety
UK man charged with murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe
British prosecutors said Monday that they had charged 28-year-old Joshua Kerry with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a veteran right-wing former member of parliament.
Frank Ferguson from the Crown Prosecution Service said prosecutors had decided to prosecute Kerry for murder after a police investigation into Widdecombe's death. Ferguson said police inquiries into the defendant's motives were continuing, including a possible political or terrorist connection.
Counter-terror police have joined the investigation. Kerry has not been charged with any terrorism offences.
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Devon, southwest England, on July 9 after sustaining serious injuries. Police previously said the murder was a targeted attack.
Police arrested a 28-year-old man days after the killing on suspicion of murder and on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The source said the man was believed to be Kerry. He was arrested in his hometown of Rotherham in Yorkshire, northern England, about 300 miles, or 500 kilometres, from Widdecombe's home.
The killing led to strong reactions from politicians. Reform UK lawmakers called for improved security for members of parliament.
Widdecombe was a spokesperson for Reform UK and a former Conservative minister. She served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and was known for her strong Christian faith and outspoken views. After leaving parliament, she appeared on reality television shows and interview panels.
The source said Widdecombe is the third UK politician murdered in an allegedly targeted attack this decade. Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in 2016 by a neo-Nazi sympathiser, and Conservative lawmaker David Amess was killed in 2021 by an Islamic State group follower.
Ferguson warned that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information that could prejudice the proceedings, after speculation about the circumstances of the killing spread on social media.
Update
Police are examining a possible political or terrorist connection, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Counter-terror police have joined the investigation.
Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon on July 9 after sustaining serious injuries.
Police previously described the killing as a targeted attack.
Kerry had earlier been arrested on suspicion linked to terrorism offences as well as murder, but has not been charged with any terrorism offences.
Kerry was arrested in Rotherham, about 300 miles from Widdecombe's home.
Politicians, including Reform MPs, called for improved security for lawmakers after the killing.
The source says Widdecombe is the third UK politician murdered in an allegedly targeted attack this decade.
The Crown Prosecution Service warned against reporting or commentary that could prejudice proceedings.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 18:37:44 UTC.
Update
Prosecutors named the charged man as Joshua Kerry.
Frank Ferguson from the Crown Prosecution Service said prosecutors decided to prosecute Kerry for murder after a police investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death.
The source says the man's motive was still being investigated.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 18:06:21 UTC.
Update
UK prosecutors said a 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of right-wing politician Ann Widdecombe.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 17:54:24 UTC.
Update
Widdecombe was found dead in her home in Devon, southwest England, on Thursday.
Counter-terrorism police took over the investigation on Monday.
The suspect was first arrested in Yorkshire on suspicion of murder and later re-arrested as a terrorism suspect.
Police said they are examining the extent of any planning or preparation and the motivation behind the attack.
Police said it is a line of inquiry whether the suspect was targeting other Reform politicians.
Laurence Taylor urged the public not to share unverified information.
The report gives background on Widdecombe's political career and public profile.
The report says Widdecombe is the third UK politician murdered in an allegedly targeted attack this decade, citing Jo Cox and David Amess.
Andy Burnham called for a serious review of security for MPs.
Interior minister Shabana Mahmood said the suspect was not known to Prevent and offered Nigel Farage a meeting with the body responsible for security for public figures.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 19:40:01 UTC.
Update
Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor said police were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Taylor said police were still trying to understand any planning or preparation and the motive behind the attack.
Police were examining whether the suspect was targeting other Reform politicians.
Taylor urged the public not to share unverified information.
Interior minister Shabana Mahmood said the suspect was not known to Prevent.
Mahmood offered Nigel Farage a meeting with the body responsible for security for public figures.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 15:57:20 UTC.
Update
UK counter-terrorism police said the killing was a targeted attack.
The victim was identified as veteran right-wing politician Ann Widdecombe, aged 78.
Police said the attack happened in her home last week.
A 28-year-old man remained under arrest on suspicion of acts of terrorism and murder.
Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor said officers were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 15:27:45 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Police inquiries into the motive are ongoing.
A potential political or terrorist connection has not been established in the source.
Kerry has not been charged with any terrorism offences.
Source
AFP news report published on .