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Murder Suspect Charged With Terrorism Against Farage
Confirmed
In Short: Counter terror police charged Joshua Kerry, 28, on Friday with one count of preparing acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her “profound sympathies” to Farage and his family, noting the charge raises questions about public figures' security.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing said the charge resulted from a “hugely intensive and complex investigation.”
Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division confirmed prosecutors worked closely with police on the charge.
Widdecombe was killed after being hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor, Devon.
Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11 and on suspicion of terrorism on July 13.
The charge relates to alleged terrorism activity between May 2024 and July this year.
CTP reopened an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage’s home in south London in August.
What's confirmed
- Counter terror police said Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged on Friday with one count of preparation of terrorist acts.
- The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has also been charged with preparing acts of terror including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said her “profound sympathies” are with Mr Farage and his family, and said the development “raises serious questions about the security of those in public life”.
- Police investigated but had not identified any suspects, Mr Farage told the newspaper.
- Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Ms 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.
- “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.” In August, CTP reopened a probe into an alleged firebomb attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London.
- The charge relates to activity alleged to have taken place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July this year, counter-terrorism police said.
- Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday with one count of preparation of terrorist acts.
- The suspect spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a hearing at Westminster magistrates court in July.
- Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts The man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
What's still developing
- Widdecombe was found dead on Thursday 9 July at her home in Haytor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries.
- Kerry was charged in July with the murder of 78-year-old Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman.
- Following her departure from the Commons, Widdecombe appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and would later become a Reform UK spokeswoman.
- Joshua Kerry has been charged with alleged terrorism activity between May 2024 and July this year To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies.
- Earlier this year Farage said there had been an “arson attempt” made on his house in 2025 when he wasn’t at home.
- Farage said the police “did their best” but there were “no suspects”.