News | UK
Murder of Ann Widdecombe being investigated as potential act of terrorism
The former Conservative minister was found dead at her home on Thursday having suffered serious injuries.

Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe.

The head of UK counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said that new information and evidence had come to light during the police investigation into her murder.

A 28-year-old white British man who was arrested on suspicion of her murder on Saturday has since been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

The former Conservative minister and later Reform UK spokeswoman, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.

Mr Taylor said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.

“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.

“Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police.

“We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience, and would ask them to continue to support us in the next stage of the investigation.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on X that she will update the House of Commons this afternoon.

She said: “The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon.

“My thoughts today remain with Ann’s family and friends, and all those who loved her.”

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Ann Widdecombe ‘struck with hammer 21 times’, court hears

Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with murdering the Reform UK spokeswoman at her remote Devon home

The man charged with murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe is accused of hitting her 21 times with a hammer and taking her wallet, a court heard.

Joshua Kerry, 28, is alleged to have arrived at the Reform UK spokeswoman’s remote bungalow in Haytor, Devon, shortly after midday on Wednesday 8 July.

A doorbell camera captured the suspect’s red Vauxhall Corsa pulling up outside the property, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

A camera positioned in the hallway showed the 78-year-old politician sitting down eating lunch in the kitchen before the defendant entered via the front door and asked her: “Don’t suppose you have bank cards and ID?”

He is then alleged to have struck her 21 times on the head with the hammer before tipping her out of her chair and on to the floor.

Ms Widdecombe was discovered face-down on the kitchen floor the following day by a gardener, who had been asked to check on the former Conservative prisons minister after she missed an interview scheduled with Channel 5.

A provisional cause of death was given as a “blunt force injury to the head”, the court heard.

Mr Kerry, who was arrested days later at his home more than 300 miles away in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit. He sat with his arms folded and spoke only to confirm his name , date of birth and address during the brief hearing.

A hammer and black gloves - on which Ms Widdecombe’s DNA was found - was recovered during a search of bins outside his property, prosecutor Kashir Malik said.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring told the defendant: “You are charged with an offence of murder which can only be tried in the crown court.”

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey this afternoon.

Announcing the charges on Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor said that establishing whether the attack was politically motivated remains an “active avenue of investigation”.

“I want to make it very clear that our investigation into this individual, determining his motivations and any wider activity he may have been involved in is continuing,” he said in a statement delivered outside Scotland Yard.

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