Man accused of Widdecombe murder charged with preparing terrorism, including against Farage

Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was charged on Friday 2 October 2026 by the Crown Prosecution Service with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP, according to the Guardian, DW, Fox News and Le Monde.

Kerry has already been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative politician and Reform UK spokesperson. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 7 October, police said.

Counter-terrorism police said the terrorism charge relates to conduct alleged to have taken place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026. Fox News quoted the charge wording as "engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against [Reform UK leader] Nigel Farage MP".

A court previously heard that Widdecombe was struck on the head 21 times with a hammer at her home in Devon. At a July hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Kerry spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and was not asked to enter a plea, according to the Guardian.

According to the Guardian, Widdecombe, 78, was found lying face down on her kitchen floor by her gardener on the morning of 9 July at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, and was declared dead shortly afterwards. Fox News reported that Kerry has been in custody since late July 2026 following his arrest over her death.

The Guardian also reported that in August Counter Terrorism Policing reopened a year-long investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage's home in south London. The case had originally been investigated as an "attempted burglary" and closed without arrests. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not say whether that reopened inquiry is connected to the charges against Kerry.

The reports do not describe what conduct Kerry is alleged to have engaged in, any alleged motive, or whether prosecutors link the Widdecombe killing to the alleged plans against Farage. They do not include a reaction from Farage or Reform UK.

What each side says

Prosecutors allege Kerry struck Widdecombe on the head 21 times with a hammer while she was eating lunch on 8 July, according to DW and Fox News; the Guardian reported that a court previously heard she was hit 21 times with a hammer. Fox News additionally reported that prosecutors say he walked through the front door, took her wallet and left in an attack lasting about two minutes.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing said in a statement: "We have been running a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time," adding that multiple lines of enquiry had "resulted in this very serious charge".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood posted on X: "This case raises serious questions about the security of those in public life. We must use this as an opportunity to reset." She said she would update Parliament on work to strengthen protections when it returns.

Olivia Field, chief executive of the Jo Cox Foundation, said in a statement: "No one in public life should have to fear for their safety."

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any plea, statement or response from Kerry or his legal representatives to either charge.

Analysis

The charge widens a case that began as a murder investigation into one with a terrorism dimension, and it directly names the leader of a major opposition party. That combination is likely to intensify the existing debate over protection for British politicians, which the Home Secretary has already signalled she intends to address in Parliament. Key questions remain open: what conduct is alleged, whether the two charges are being treated as linked, and whether the reopened inquiry into the incident at Farage's home bears on this case. The next step in the court process is the hearing on 7 October, where some of these questions may begin to be addressed. Kerry is presumed innocent.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.