A 28-year-old man from Rotherham has been charged with the murder of former MP and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe, as an inquest into her death opened without establishing a cause.
Joshua Kerry is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service. He was first arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, two days after Widdecombe’s body was found at her home in Haytor Vale, Devon. Two days later, he was further arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but has not been charged with that offence.
“Joshua Kerry, 28, charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe; inquest unable to establish cause of death.”
Widdecombe, 78, was pronounced dead at 12.20pm on 9 July after an employee carrying out a welfare check found her unresponsive with “visible injuries” inside her bungalow, Exeter Coroner’s Court heard. Senior coroner Philip Spinney said a post-mortem examination had taken place but “the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established”. Police believe the attack occurred the previous day at 12.30pm — just half an hour before she was due to appear via video on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.
The investigation, led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East with support from Devon and Cornwall Police, has generated more than 800 lines of inquiry. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor told a press conference at New Scotland Yard: “We have charged Joshua Kerry with her murder.” He added: “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.”
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: “Police inquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.” He reminded the public that proceedings were active and that nothing should be reported that could prejudice a fair trial.
Spinney formally adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of criminal proceedings, offering “deepest condolences” to Widdecombe’s family. The coroner noted that she was “much loved and greatly missed”.
Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years and held ministerial roles under Sir John Major. She later became an MEP for the Brexit Party and a Reform UK spokeswoman, and was known for television appearances including Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described her as “one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics”.
Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, but questions remain over what motivated the attack on a figure who spanned politics and popular culture.