Man accused of killing former minister faces combined murder and terrorism charges

Prosecutors at the Old Bailey said the 28-year-old suspect, Joshua Kerry, harbored hostility toward the Reform party and held extremist, anti-establishment views. They argued the killing of 78-year-old former minister Ann Widdecombe was politically and ideologically motivated, describing it as having a "terrorist connection." Kerry, already charged with Widdecombe's murder in July, was additionally charged with preparing terrorist acts after investigators said he conducted online surveillance of prominent individuals and attempted to break into Nigel Farage's South London home in April 2025. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb approved a request to merge the murder and terrorism charges into a single trial, setting a five-week hearing to begin on 8 June next year. A further court appearance is scheduled for 29 January. Defence counsel Nicholas Lumley KC indicated that Kerry is expected to contest all allegations. Widdecombe was found dead on 9 July at her Haytor, Devon residence, having suffered multiple head injuries from a hammer attack while eating lunch. She had served as a Conservative MP for 23 years and held ministerial posts in the 1990s.