Police are investigating whether Joshua Kerry, the man charged with the murder of former Reform UK and Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe, had any involvement in an attempted burglary at the then-London home of Nigel Farage in April 2025. The development comes as Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) has referred itself to the police watchdog over the initial handling of that incident.
Reinvestigation of April 2025 incident
Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, was charged with the murder of Widdecombe, 78, who was found dead at her home in Haytor Vale, Devon, on 9 July 2025. The investigation into her death is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, due to the possibility of a political motive.
On Friday, police confirmed they had reopened an investigation into an incident reported in April 2025 at a London address where Farage was residing at the time. The Metropolitan Police initially recorded it as an attempted burglary, though other sources have described it as attempted arson. Detectives are now studying fingerprints from the scene, CCTV footage, and video doorbell recordings. They also examined the scene for traces of accelerants, such as lighter fluid.
CTP refers itself to IOPC
Counter Terrorism Policing London has made a mandatory conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding its support to the initial investigation. In a statement, CTP said: “As part of the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have reopened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year.
“In April 2025, the Metropolitan police received a report of an attempted burglary at an address in the Greater London area. Enquiries were carried out by the Metropolitan police, supported by Counter Terrorism Policing London. No arrests were made and the investigation was subsequently closed, pending any new lines of inquiry.
“Following the reopening of the attempted burglary investigation, Counter Terrorism Policing London identified a line of enquiry which was not identified and pursued by them at the time, which may have been relevant. As a result, to ensure their support to the initial investigation is thoroughly reviewed, Counter Terrorism Policing London made a mandatory conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct today.”
Farage responds to developments
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Farage said: “It’s a great, great tragedy that it took the death of Ann for the security services in Britain to finally take seriously the safety and security of Reform politicians and Reform prominent figures.” He expressed confidence in counter-terrorism police, stating they were not attempting to cover up any failures.
Farage added: “The fact they’ve done that shows you they’re not trying to cover up, they’re not trying to ignore, and I have to say I have met Laurence Taylor [the head of CTP] and I did feel a great, great confidence in it.”
Details of Widdecombe's death
Widdecombe’s body was discovered by paramedics at her home in Haytor Vale at 11.40am on Thursday 9 July, with what police described as “serious injuries.” During Kerry’s first court appearance in July, it was heard that Widdecombe died after being struck on the head with a hammer 21 times. Police believe the attack occurred the day before her body was found.
The attack on Widdecombe has not yet been formally declared a terrorist incident, but CTP’s involvement reflects the possibility of a political motive. The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives continuing to pursue multiple lines of inquiry.
