A 28-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, was initially held on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe, 78, who was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9 having suffered serious injuries.
Two days after the murder arrest, counter-terrorism police said they had taken over the investigation and had further arrested him on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Head of UK counter-terrorism policing Laurence Taylor said that the murder and counter-terrorism investigations are running “in parallel”.
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.”
Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, and went on to become an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Tributes were paid to her by figures across the political spectrum after her death, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calling her “one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics”.
