Man accused of Widdecombe murder charged with preparing terrorist acts including against Nigel Farage

The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been charged with preparing terrorist acts, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was charged on Friday with one count of preparation of terrorist acts.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 7 October.

Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Ms Widdecombe, 78, died on 8 July 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 was charged with her murder on 20 July.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism 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 Counter Terrorism Policing network.

"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."

This charge relates to activity which is alleged to have taken place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026.

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Chief crown prosecutor Frank Ferguson, of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "Having carefully reviewed the evidence, we have made the decision to prosecute Joshua Kerry for engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts."

He said prosecutors "have worked closely with police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses".

(c) Sky News 2026: Man accused of Widdecombe murder charged with preparing terrorist acts including against Nigel Farage