Man to appear in court charged with Widdecombe murder
Joshua Kerry, 28, has appeared in court charged with the murder of former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe. Prosecutors allege Kerry entered her home and killed her with a hammer before fleeing the scene.
Why it matters
The murder of a high-profile political figure has triggered significant public interest and a counter-terrorism investigation, though the suspect has not been charged with terrorism offenses.
A man has appeared in court charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe by hitting her 21 times on her head with a hammer.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today over the death of Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister.
Mr Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, two days after Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.
Mr Kerry was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but he has not been charged with this offence.
Kashif Malik, prosecuting, said that on 8 July, Ms Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview at just before 1pm, which would have been aired live on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.
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