Man (28) charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe

LAST UPDATE | 17 hrs ago

A 28-YEAR-OLD MAN has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

The 78-year-old former Conservative minister, and later Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on 9 July after sustaining serious injuries.

Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

He was first arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, two days after Widdecombe was found dead at her home.

On 13 July he was additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. He has not been charged with this offence. 

Speaking outside New Scotland Yard this evening, head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said detectives are continuing to investigate any possible political or terrorist motivation for the murder. 

“Given Ann Widdecombe’s profile and the targeted nature of the attack, determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation for our detectives,” Taylor said. 

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“And as with all murder investigations, understanding the why is a key part of our inquiries.

“This has been, and remains, a particularly intensive and complex investigation.”

He said that detectives are working through more than 800 lines of inquiry, and asked for time for investigators to carry out the work.

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.

“Police inquiries 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.”

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for a serious review of MPs’ safety after Widdebombe’s death, and Mr Taylor said officers are working with parliamentary officials to make politicians aware of protection measures that are in place.

He said: “I know many have been understandably concerned about their own safety after this horrendous attack, particularly after hearing about the nature of the attack she endured in her own home.

“We are working closely with the Speaker of the House and the relevant authorities to ensure elected officials are aware of what we have in place to protect them.”