The Metropolitan Police announced on Friday that Joshua Kerry, a 28‑year‑old from Rotherham, faces a new charge of preparing acts of terrorism for alleged actions between May 31 2024 and July 8 2026.
The charge follows Kerry’s July 11 arrest for the brutal murder of former Reform UK MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead in her home after a hammer blow to the head. Prosecutor Kashif Malik said the victim was struck 21 times while eating lunch, having been driven from Rotherham 300 km away.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood tweeted her “deepest sympathy” for Farage and Widdecombe’s families, warning that any attack on a public figure is “an attack on us all.” Her remarks come amid calls from Reform MPs for heightened security for lawmakers.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans described the investigation as “huge, intensive and complex,” noting that a dedicated team of detectives, analysts and forensic experts had pursued multiple lines of inquiry before filing the terrorism charge.
Kerry is due to appear before a London magistrates’ court on October 7. The case joins a series of political killings in the UK this decade, including the murders of Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021, underscoring the growing concern over the safety of public officials.