First Picture: 28-Year-Old Joshua Kerry Named as Suspect in Ann Widdecombe Terror Probe

Counter-terrorism detectives are questioning a 28-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of former Conservative minister and political figure Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead in her Devon home.

Joshua Kerry was arrested by police last Saturday night at his council house home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. While Devon and Cornwall Police initially treated the death of the 78-year-old as a burglary gone wrong, the investigation was subsequently escalated. Kerry was rearrested two days later by counter-terror officers on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. He remains in custody and can be held for questioning until Tuesday, at which point officers have the option to apply to the courts for a further detention extension.

The body of Ms Widdecombe was discovered in the kitchen of her isolated bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, where she lived alone with her cat.

According to police forensic timelines, she was bludgeoned to death at approximately 12:30 PM on Wednesday, July 8. The attack occurred just 30 minutes before she was scheduled to appear via a live video link from her home on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.

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Investigators established that Ms Widdecombe had last messaged a television producer at 12:19 PM that afternoon, but failed to respond to a follow-up text sent at 12:48 PM. Her body remained undiscovered for nearly 24 hours before being found by authorities at 11:40 AM the following day.

Counter Terrorism Policing took operational command of the investigation after local forces initially stated there was "nothing to suggest" the killing was politically motivated.

The news of her death has prompted widespread shock across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he had spoken directly with his successor Andy Burnham, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage to urge political figures and the public to "come together at a moment like this."

Paying tribute to her career, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised Ms Widdecombe's decades of public service.

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"Ann Widdecombe dedicated her life to politics and public service. For nearly 40 years, she was a fixture of our political life. 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. She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics."

In the House of Commons, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle addressed the chamber to pay his respects while explicitly warning Members of Parliament to refrain from making any comments that could potentially prejudice a future criminal trial.

Reflecting on her 23 years as the Member of Parliament for Maidstone and her subsequent ministerial roles in the 1990s, Sir Lindsay added a personal recollection:

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"Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life... 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."

Ms Widdecombe first entered Parliament as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987. After leaving Westminster, she continued her political career as an MEP for the Brexit Party and later served as a prominent spokeswoman for Reform UK. Beyond her political operations, she achieved widespread cultural recognition through high-profile television appearances, notably starring in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother.

The suspect remains under active interrogation by specialist counter-terrorism officers as searches and forensic inquiries continue.