Joshua Kerry Charged With Murder of Former Politician Ann Widdecombe

Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman. Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on July 9. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the charge, citing evidence gathered during a police investigation that remains active.

The Investigation and Charges Against Joshua Kerry

Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 21 to face a murder charge. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced the decision to prosecute following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe at her Haytor, Dartmoor, residence.

“We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.”

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division

While the murder charge is central to the proceedings, counter-terrorism police have also been involved in the case. Authorities arrested Kerry on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism two days after his initial murder arrest. Laurence Taylor, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, confirmed that the murder investigation and the counter-terrorism inquiries are running in parallel.

Timeline of the Incident in Haytor

Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home on July 9, having sustained what have been described as serious injuries.

The timeline of her final hours suggests the attack took place shortly before she was scheduled to appear via video link on a television program. Records indicate she last communicated with a producer at 12:19 p.m. but failed to respond to a subsequent text message at 12:48 p.m. Her body was not discovered until nearly 24 hours later, at 11:40 a.m. on July 9, in the kitchen of the bungalow where she lived alone.

Legal Proceedings and Public Caution

With the case now moving through the court system, prosecutors and police have emphasized the necessity of maintaining the integrity of the trial. Frank Ferguson stressed the importance of avoiding any commentary that could influence the outcome of the case.

“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division

The defendant currently maintains the right to a fair trial.

The Career and Public Life of Ann Widdecombe

Ann Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for the Maidstone constituency—later known as Maidstone and the Weald—for 23 years, from 1987 until 2010. During her time in Parliament, she was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Maidstone in 2007. Following her parliamentary career, she became a prominent media figure through appearances on programs such as Strictly Come Dancing.

2026-07-21: Joshua Kerry charged Widdecombe Murder

In her later political life, she was a vocal supporter of the 2016 Brexit referendum and served as an MEP for the South West of England between 2019 and 2020. She joined Reform UK in 2023, acting as the party’s immigration spokesperson. Her political legacy was marked by socially conservative views, which included opposition to abortion and the expansion of rights for the LGBT community.