Counter-terrorism police probe murder of former MEP Ann Widdecombe
The killing of a prominent Brexit-era MEP at her home is being investigated by counter-terrorism detectives for a potential political motive.
Ann Widdecombe, a former Member of the European Parliament who became a prominent face of the Brexit movement, has been murdered at her home in Devon.
Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old from South Yorkshire, has been charged with the killing and remanded in custody. The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism detectives, with police actively exploring whether the attack carried a political or terrorism-related motivation.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik told Westminster Magistrates' Court that Kerry arrived at Widdecombe’s Haytor property on 8 July in a red Vauxhall Corsa. Wearing black gloves, the suspect allegedly entered through the front door, struck Widdecombe 21 times with a hammer, and stole her wallet before fleeing. The entire incident lasted roughly two minutes.
Widdecombe was discovered face down on her kitchen floor the following afternoon by her gardener. She had failed to log in for a pre-arranged lunchtime online interview with Channel 5's Matt Allwright show, prompting her personal assistant to send the gardener to check on her. A pathologist has provisionally given the cause of death as a blunt force injury to the head.
The possibility of a political motive gives the case significant weight across the continent. Widdecombe spent decades in British public life, serving as a Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years before leaving the Commons. She later represented South West England in the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and, in 2023, joined Reform UK as a party spokeswoman.
Kerry appeared emotionless during a brief hearing at the magistrates' court, speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He did not enter a plea. The case was subsequently sent to the Old Bailey, where a provisional trial date has been listed for 8 June 2027. Kerry is next due to appear at the central criminal court on 9 October for a case management hearing.
While a post-mortem examination has taken place, an earlier inquest hearing was told that the precise medical cause of death has yet to be formally established.
