The Crown Prosecution Service said it has charged Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham with murder following the death of Ann Widdecombe. He will appear in court on Tuesday
The suspect in the Ann Widdecombe murder investigation has now been charged by police. Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Kerry will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (July 21). 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. 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.”
Counter Terrorism Policing said there were “over 800 lines of inquiry” in the murder investigation of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. In a statement read outside New Scotland Yard, head of UK counter-terrorism policing Laurence Taylor said: “Over the last week, our teams have gathered a huge amount of information, leading to over 800 lines of inquiry.
“Each of those needs assessing carefully and thoroughly, and I ask that we are given the time to do that. Should Counter Terrorism Policing identify any further offences, we will liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service and submit evidence where appropriate.”
Assistant Commissioner Taylor added: “I know many have been understandably concerned about their own safety after this horrendous attack, particularly after hearing about the nature of the attack she endured in her own home.
“We’re working closely with the Speaker of the House and the relevant authorities to ensure elected officials are aware of what we have in place to protect them.”
Ms Widdecombe was found dead in her house on Wednesday July 8, 30 minutes before she was set to appear via video call from home, on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show. The 78-year-old had last messaged a producer at 12.19pm but failed to respond to a text at 12.48pm.
Devon and Cornwall Police believe she was killed at 12.30pm in the bungalow where she lived alone with her cat on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Her body remained undiscovered for almost 24 hours before being found in the kitchen of the house at 11.40am the next day. Detectives confirmed Ms Widdecombe’s death was a “targeted attack”.
Ms Widdecombe was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, then served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and spokeswoman for Reform UK. She also starred in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Keir Starmer, who was Prime Minister at the time of Ms Widdecombe’s death, said he had spoken to now new PM Andy Burnham, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Mr Farage to “urge everybody to come together at a moment like this”.
Starmer said: “She brought conviction to our politics, grounded in her profound Catholic faith. She was forthright in her opinions and argued courageously for the things she believed in. But, perhaps most of all, she brought an inimitable style to politics. She was forthright and fearless.”
The Home Secretary added: “She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics.”
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid tribute to Ms Widdecombe in the chamber and urged MPs not to say anything that might prejudice a future trial.
He said: “Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life. She was a member of Parliament for Maidstone for 23 years, holding a number of ministerial posts in the 1990s.
“Ann was fierce and enjoyed robust political debate. Whether you agreed with her or not, she was principled, spoke her mind and was true to her beliefs, informed by a Christian faith.
“On a personal level, Casa Pizza in Lambeth is where I spent a lot of time in the evening sharing a pizza with the one and only Ann Widdecombe.
“She was a friend in many ways. Politically we may not agree, but she was without doubt a courageous, principled politician and all our thoughts are with her family and her friends.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.