Joshua Kerry, the man accused of murdering Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, has also been charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts in relation to alleged activity involving Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the alleged activity took place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026. Kerry, 28, of Byrley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The charge was announced as part of what police described as a lengthy and complex investigation. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators had been working across the Counter Terrorism Policing network.
“We have been running a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time,” she said.
“The charge announced today is a result of the tireless work of investigators across the Counter Terrorism Policing network.”
She said detectives, analysts and forensic experts had been working on multiple lines of enquiry, resulting in what she described as a “very serious charge”.
Kerry is also accused of murdering Widdecombe, 78, who died on 8 July after being hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, a court previously heard.
The new charge has prompted a response from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who expressed her “profound sympathies” to Mr Farage and his family and said the development raised questions about the security of people in public life.
“I know the new charges made today will be extremely concerning,” she said. “My profound sympathies are with Nigel Farage and his family.”
“Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all.”
Ms Mahmood said the case should be used as an opportunity to review protections for people who choose to serve in public life. She said she would update Parliament on the Government’s work once it returned.
The charge follows the reopening in August of a year-long investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London. The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London had originally investigated the incident as an “attempted burglary”. No arrests were made before the case was closed pending new lines of inquiry.
After the investigation was reopened, Counter Terrorism Policing London said it had identified a line of inquiry that “may have been relevant” but had not been “identified and pursued by them at the time”.
Mr Farage told the Daily Telegraph in April that a lit incendiary device had been pushed through his letterbox early the previous year. He described the incident as an “outright arson attempt”. He was away from home at the time and said he found the damage when he returned, adding that the device had “luckily” burned itself out in the porch.
He told the newspaper that police had investigated but had not identified any suspects.
Following the latest charge, Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said prosecutors had reviewed the evidence and decided to prosecute Kerry for engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts.
“Our prosecutors have worked closely with 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,” he said.
The allegations remain matters for the court. Kerry’s appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court is the next stated stage in the proceedings.
