Joshua Kerry in Court Charged with Murder of Ann Widdecombe

A 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.

Joshua Kerry from Rotherham in South Yorkshire appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court today facing the single murder charge.

Proceedings at Westminster Magistrates' Court faced a brief postponement earlier today after the start of the hearing was pushed back until 2pm to allow defence solicitor Andrew Swaby and the legal team time to consult with Joshua Kerry before proceedings commenced.

The court was nearly full, with court staff, legal counsel and members of the press along with some members of the public.

Kerry entered tbe dock wearing a grey tracksuit flanked by three officers, with his hair noticeable shorter than in previously published photo’s of him. He sat with his arms folded and only stood to give his name, age and address.

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Suspect to appear at the Old Bailey later today

The chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring then told Kerry:

"You're charged with an offence of murder which can only be dealt with in a crown court."

He added:

"You are therefore remanded into custody and sent to crown court."

Joshua Kerry, the 28-year-old suspect in Ann Widdecomb murder will appear at the Old Bailey later this afternoon. 

Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that Ms Widdecombe was eating lunch when the suspect allegedly parked a vehicle outside the property and entered through the front door.

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The Crown alleges that Joshua Kerry, 28, walked into the kitchen and struck the former Tory minister on the head 21 times with a hammer.

It is further alleged that the attacker tipped the Reform UK spokeswoman from her chair and stole a wallet from her handbag before driving away, spending approximately two minutes inside the bungalow.

Prosecutors confirmed that a provisional cause of death has been recorded as a blunt force injury to the head.

This court appearance follows a complex investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East with support from Devon and Cornwall Police.

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Kerry was initially arrested on suspicion of murder two days after the 78-year-old politician was discovered with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon on Thursday 9 July.

The suspect was subsequently re-arrested by detectives on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A recent inquest opening heard that the official cause of death has yet to be established and the coroner has adjourned the inquest proceedings pending the conclusion of the criminal trial.

In a statement delivered outside New Scotland Yard the head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing outlined the scale of the ongoing probe.

Laurence Taylor stated that the investigation into the defendant to determine his motivations and any wider activity he may have been involved in remains active and ongoing.

He noted that understanding the motive is a key part of all murder inquiries and described this specific case as a particularly intensive and complex investigation.

Mr Taylor confirmed that counter-terrorism teams have gathered a huge amount of information over the past week which has generated more than 800 lines of enquiry.

However he reassured the public that detectives are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the fatal incident.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the murder charge after reviewing a file of evidence submitted by counter-terror police.

Frank Ferguson from the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division confirmed prosecutors had worked closely with police to ensure there was sufficient evidence to bring the case before the courts.

Mr Ferguson issued a strict warning reminding the public and the media that criminal proceedings against the defendant are now active and that he maintains an absolute right to a fair trial.

He stressed it is vital there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice the upcoming legal proceedings.

Ms Widdecombe maintained a high-profile career in British politics and public life that spanned several decades.

She served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and held numerous ministerial roles in Sir John Major's government throughout the 1990s.

Following her departure from the House of Commons she achieved further public recognition through television appearances on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and as a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

She subsequently returned to frontline politics to represent South West England as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and most recently joined Reform UK as a party spokeswoman in 2023.

Following the discovery of her death mourners gathered in Haytor Vale to pay their respects to the veteran politician.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage attended the gathering and described her as a remarkable individual and the fiercest defender of free speech.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch paid tribute to a very fun and feisty woman while noting her heart was breaking for the Widdecombe family.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham also sent his condolences to her family and acknowledged that she had given a lifetime of public service.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey expressed his shock and distress at the news describing Ms Widdecombe as a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to serving the public.

The trial continues …