28-year-old man charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe
A man has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, and has been named by the Crown Prosecution Service as 28-year-old Joshua Kerry.
The Rotherham man is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow (21 July), police inquiries into his possible motive are ongoing.
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said: “We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.
“Police enquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.
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“Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”
The former Conservative MP was found dead in her home in Hayton on Dartmoor, Devon, at roughly 11:40am on Thursday 9 July. In what counter-terrorism police confirmed as a 'targeted attack', it's thought she was attacked roughly 24 hours prior.
Kerry was arrested on suspicion of the 78-year-old's murder on 11 July, before being rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
It was previously revealed that on the day before she was found, Widdecombe was scheduled to appear via video link on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.
According to WhatsApp messages obtained by ITV News, Widdecombe’s last known text exchange was with a producer about a scheduled TV appearance between 12.14pm and 12.19pm on the Wednesday.
The research team were trying to organise the Zoom call with the politician but received no answer after 12.19pm. It is believed that she was attacked on Wednesday at about 12:30pm.
Widdecombe was a former Tory MP, Brexit Party MEP and had become an immigration and justice spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She had also previously found fame outside of the world of politics when starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Ann Widdecombe's alleged murder: a timeline of events
Wednesday 8 July
7am - Outside a property linked to the suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Widdecombe in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, neighbours see a man putting ‘some kind of wooden stick’ into the passenger side of a red car, the Press Association reports.
8.05am - Ann Widdecombe appears in an interview for TalkTV about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
12.19pm - Widdecombe sends her final message to a Channel 5 researcher at this time as they discuss setting up a video interview.
12.30pm - Police believe Widdecombe was attacked around this time.
12.48pm - A message from the Channel 5 researcher asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link goes unanswered.
Thursday 9 July
11.40am - Police are called to Widdecombe’s home in Hayton, Devon by ambulance services to find she had died after suffering serious injuries.
Friday 10 July
6.30am - Widdecombe’s management team releases a statement announcing her death - there is no reference to suspicious circumstances.
3.45pm - Devon and Cornwall Police announce they have launched a murder investigation.
5.45pm - Police announce they have arrested a 26-year-old white man as part of their investigation.
Saturday 11 July
6.30am - The 26-year-old is released from custody without being charged and police say he is no longer part of their investigation.
9pm - A white 28-year-old British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is arrested on suspicion of murder.
Sunday 12 July
Police say there is nothing to suggest Widdecombe’s alleged murder was politically motivated or an act of terrorism and say they are not looking for anyone else as part of their investigation.
Monday 13 July
Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Widdecombe after 'new information and evidence has come to light'.
Police say the alleged murder is now being treated as an act of terrorism.
Counter-terrorism officers rearrested the 28-year-old white British man on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the 28-year-old suspect wasn't known to Prevent, and MPs will be offered guidance and support on their security.
Jess Battison