Brief
Suspect in Widdecombe murder also charged with terror plot targeting Nigel Farage
Joshua Kerry, already accused of killing former minister Ann Widdecombe, faces new terrorism charges linked to Nigel Farage, officials say.
By Felo News Desk · Published
British police announced on Monday that Joshua Kerry, 28, already charged with murdering former minister Ann Widdecombe, has been additionally charged with preparing terrorist acts that relate in part to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, according to a statement from senior Counter Terrorism Policing coordinator Vicki Evans.
Kerry, a resident of Rotherham, is alleged to have engaged in conduct preparing terrorist acts between May 2024 and July 2026. The new charge will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Evans said the investigation had been "hugely intensive and complex" and that the charge reflects the "tireless work of investigators across the counter‑terrorism policing network".
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her rural southwest England home on 9 July 2026 after being attacked the previous day; prosecutors say she was struck 21 times with a hammer. The case has heightened concerns about the security of British politicians, with two serving MPs having been killed since 2016.
Reform UK MP Richard Tice posted on X that the charges underscore the need for increased security funding. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed "profound sympathies" for Farage and his family, warning that any attack on a politician is an attack on the nation.
Key facts
- Joshua Kerry, 28, is charged with preparing terrorist acts linked to Nigel Farage. (smh.com.au)
- Kerry is already accused of murdering former minister Ann Widdecombe. (smh.com.au)
- The alleged terrorist conduct spans May 2024 to July 2026. (smh.com.au)
- The case will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. (smh.com.au)
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed sympathy for Farage and warned of broader security implications. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au
- [2] independent.co.uk
