Man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe charged over terror plot against Nigel Farage
Joshua Kerry, 28, already charged with the murder of the former MP, faces a charge of preparing acts of terrorism over conduct alleged between May 2024 and July 2026.
Police have charged Joshua Kerry, 28, with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage.
Kerry is already charged with the murder of the former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in July after being struck 21 times with a hammer, according to evidence heard in court. The alleged terror conduct took place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026.
Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, is said to have driven nearly 265 miles to Widdecombe's home. He was refused bail at an Old Bailey hearing in July and remanded in custody, with a provisional murder trial date set for 8 June next year.
An attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all.Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary, 2 October 2026
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, wrote on X: “I know the new charges made today will be extremely concerning. My profound sympathies are with Nigel Farage and his family. Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all.” She said the case raised serious questions about the security of those in public life and promised to update parliament on work to strengthen protections when it returns.
The charge was announced by counterterrorism police and the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday. Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, said: “We have been running a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time. The charge announced today is a result of the tireless work of investigators across the counterterrorism policing network.”
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor of the CPS special crime and counterterrorism division, said prosecutors had “worked closely with police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court”. He reminded all concerned that proceedings remain active and that Kerry has the right to a fair trial, adding it was vital there should be no reporting or commentary that could prejudice the proceedings.
Kerry is due to appear at Westminster magistrates' court on Wednesday.
Widdecombe, 78, was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, served as a prisons minister in the 1990s and later sat as an MEP for the Brexit Party; at the time of her death she was Reform UK's spokeswoman on immigration and justice.
Farage has said a £5m gift he received from the crypto investor Christopher Harborne in 2024 was to cover his personal security, according to reports in The Times and Reuters.
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