Ann Widdecombe Murder Suspect Faces New Terror Charge Over Alleged Attempt to Enter Nigel Farage's Home

A man already charged with the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has been accused of a further terrorism-related offence involving the home of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a London court heard on Wednesday.

Joshua Kerry, 28, appeared in person at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where prosecutors outlined a new allegation of preparing terrorist acts. The charge spans a period of more than two years, from 31 May 2024 to 8 July 2026.

According to prosecutor Kashif Malik, the defendant is alleged to have conducted online reconnaissance of "prominent people and institutions," a process that included identifying the residential address of the Reform UK leader.

The court was told that physical damage was discovered on the doorframe at Farage's home. Malik said the inference drawn by investigators was that an attempt had been made to force entry into the property.

Kerry, who has a thick beard and wore a grey sweatshirt and trousers in the dock, spoke only to confirm his address in Rotherham and to state his date of birth. He was flanked by four custody officers during the brief hearing.

District Judge proceedings concluded with Kerry being remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey, London's central criminal court, on Friday.

The new charge alleges that Kerry carried out research on potential targets and that he travelled to Farage's home address and attempted to gain entry to the property. The timeframe of the allegation begins in the spring of 2024 and extends to the summer of 2026.

Separately, the court heard details of an incident in April 2025, when Farage's partner reportedly discovered damage to the main front door of their house. A bottle of lighter fluid was also found in the porch of the property, according to the account given to magistrates.

The revelations add a significant counter-terrorism dimension to a case that has already drawn widespread national attention. Kerry was charged in July with the murder of Widdecombe, a 78-year-old who was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on 9 July.

A post-mortem examination concluded that Widdecombe had sustained serious injuries. She had been a prominent figure in British public life for decades, serving as the Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald in Kent for 23 years.

During the 1990s, Widdecombe was appointed to ministerial roles in the government of then-prime minister Sir John Major, holding positions including prisons minister and later employment minister. She remained a well-known political personality after leaving the House of Commons.

In 2019, she became a member of Reform UK, the party led by Farage, and later served as a spokeswoman for the party. Her death prompted tributes from across the political spectrum.

The case now encompasses both the alleged murder and an alleged terrorism plot, meaning it is likely to be handled under the enhanced procedures reserved for the most serious criminal cases. The Old Bailey appearance on Friday is expected to involve procedural steps before a full trial timetable is set.

The allegation concerning Farage's home underscores the security challenges faced by high-profile political figures in the UK. Counter-terrorism policing has increasingly focused on so-called "lone actor" threats, in which individuals are accused of conducting research on targets before taking action.

Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will allege that Kerry's research extended beyond the addresses of specific individuals or whether institutions were also identified as potential targets. The wording of the charge refers broadly to "prominent people and institutions."

Farage, a central figure in the UK's political landscape for more than a decade, has long been a polarising presence in British public life. The alleged targeting of his residence will likely intensify debate about the safety of elected officials and party leaders.

The court's decision to remand Kerry in custody means he will remain detained until at least his appearance at the central criminal court later this week. No application for bail was successful during the hearing.

Legal experts note that cases involving both murder and terrorism charges are rare and typically involve extensive investigative work by multiple agencies, including specialist counter-terrorism units and local police forces. The Crown Prosecution Service must satisfy a dual test of evidential sufficiency and public interest before proceeding with such charges.

The court sketch released after the hearing showed Kerry surrounded by three guards, with a bearded face and glasses. Such images are routinely issued when reporting restrictions or courtroom rules prevent photography inside the hearing.

Widdecombe's death and the subsequent charges have prompted renewed scrutiny of security arrangements for former ministers and political commentators. However, officials have not disclosed whether any specific threat assessments were in place before the alleged incidents.

The next stage of the proceedings at the Old Bailey will determine how the multiple charges against Kerry are grouped and whether any applications are made regarding the admissibility of evidence. A trial date is unlikely to be fixed immediately given the complexity of the allegations.

For now, Kerry remains in custody, with Friday's hearing set to move the case into the more senior court system. The allegations concerning Nigel Farage's home will form part of a prosecution narrative that stretches from online research to physical attempts to enter a residential property.

Both the murder charge and the new terrorism offence will be considered together as the legal process unfolds, with prosecutors expected to present a detailed timeline of the defendant's alleged activities over a period spanning more than two years.