LONDON — A 28-year-old man accused of murdering former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has been charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including alleged activity targeting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, British counter-terrorism police have announced.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, was charged on Friday with one count of preparation of terrorist acts. According to Counter Terrorism Policing, the charge relates to alleged activity said to have taken place between May 2024 and July 2026.
Kerry had previously been charged in July with the murder of Widdecombe, 78, who served as a Conservative MP and government minister before later becoming a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
The latest development has heightened concerns over the security of political figures in Britain.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she understood that the new charge would be “extremely concerning”, while expressing her sympathies to Farage and his family.
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“Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all,” Mahmood said.
She added that the case raised “serious questions” about the security arrangements for people in public life and said the government would use the situation as an opportunity to strengthen protections for politicians.
“Once parliament returns, I will update on our work to strengthen protections for those who choose to serve,” she said.
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Farage’s security funding comes under renewed scrutiny
The development also comes as Farage faces scrutiny over a £5 million gift from a billionaire donor, which is currently the subject of an investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog.
Farage, who returned to Parliament as an MP in 2024, has previously said the money was intended to fund his personal security.
A Reform UK source, responding to the latest development, told the BBC: “This is exactly why Nigel needed £5m to protect his security for life.”
The alleged terrorist activity involving Farage forms part of the wider case against Kerry, although the precise nature of the alleged preparations has not been publicly detailed by police.
‘Hugely intensive and complex investigation’
Counter Terrorism Policing Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the new charge followed a major investigation involving detectives, analysts and forensic specialists.
“This investigation has been led by a dedicated team of detectives, analysts, and forensic experts, working on multiple lines of enquiry, which has resulted in this very serious charge,” Evans said.
Kerry is due to appear in court on Wednesday in connection with the terrorism charge.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said prosecutors had worked closely with police before bringing the charge and would continue working with investigators as the case develops.
Frank Ferguson of the CPS said the investigation remained ongoing.
Who was Ann Widdecombe?
Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday, 9 July, after sustaining serious injuries.
She represented Maidstone in Kent as a Conservative MP for 23 years and served as a minister under former Prime Minister Sir John Major during the 1990s.
After leaving the House of Commons, Widdecombe became a familiar face on British television, including an appearance on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
She later entered British political debate again as a Reform UK spokeswoman.
The latest terrorism charge against Kerry adds another major dimension to an already serious criminal investigation. However, the allegations remain matters for the courts, and being charged does not mean that Kerry has been found guilty of either the murder or the terrorism offence.
