Ann Widdecombe‘s alleged killer was accused of being Britain’s first left-wing terrorist murderer.
Joshua Kerry is charged with killing the 78-year-old Reform UK politician, months after trying to break into the home of party leader Nigel Farage in a terrorist plot motivated by ‘extreme left-wing’ ideology.
In the first case of its kind, the 28-year-old alleged terrorist is said to have targeted both politicians due to a ‘particular hostility against Reform’.
The Old Bailey heard today that Kerry had an ‘extreme left-wing and anti-establishment mindset’ and there was a ‘terrorist connection’ to the murder of Ms Widdecombe, who served as the Reform Party’s spokesperson on immigration and justice.
Prior to her alleged murder in July, Kerry is said to have spent nearly two years researching ‘prominent people and institutions’, including the victims and other prominent MPs such as Kemi Badenoch.
The Tory leader‘s name featured on an ‘online reconnaissance’ list of around 100 MPs allegedly found at his home, which also included Tom Tugendhat, the shadow foreign secretary, Robert Jenrick, Lee Anderson and Richard Tice of Reform UK, and Rosie Duffield, an independent MP.
Outlining the case, Prosecutor Jonathan Polney KC said: ‘It is the prosecution case that on 8 July 2026, the defendant drove 206 miles from his home in Rotherham to Ann Widdecombe’s home.
‘He drove there with a red Vauxhall Corsa, taking with him a hammer and gloves.
A court heard Joshua Kerry – who is charged with the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe – was motivated by an extreme left-wing mindset and ‘hostility to Reform’
Ms Widdecombe died on July 8 after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon
– Artist impression of Kerry appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 21, 2026
‘We say he struck her 21 times, killing her. These events were captured on camera inside Ms Widdecombe’s home. He was in the address for approximately two minutes before he left.
‘He was arrested by police on 11 July.’
Counter Terrorism Police later linked Kerry to an attempted break-in 15 months earlier at Mr Farage’s London house.
Kerry is accused of trying to batter down the front door of the Reform leader while armed with a bottle of lighter fluid in ‘preparation of terrorist acts’ in April last year.
The prosecutor told the court: ‘Nigel Farage’s partner returned home to open an unlocked door to her porch, and the front door to the porch had been damaged.
‘The front door was still locked, and no entry had been gained. There was a container of lighter fluid left on the porch.’
Telematics from Kerry’s car later revealed he had driven over 200 miles from his Rotherham home to the MP’s property, arriving at 3.15pm and leaving at 5.43pm, the court was told.
Mr Polney said: ‘The defendant’s mobile phones had been examined and that inquiries reveal, the prosecution say, the defendant had been researching the home addresses of a number of politicians and other public figures.
‘That research took place over a period between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026. It identifies the home addresses of both Ann Widdecombe and Nigel Farage.
‘The prosecution submits that note on the defendant’s phone demonstrates, what we say, an extreme left-wing and anti-establishment mindset.
‘He held a particular hostility against Reform.’
He added: ‘We say it was politically and ideologically motivated,’ saying both incidents amounted to ‘a single course of conduct and inextricably linked.’
Kerry faces one charge of murder and one count of preparation of a terrorist act in relation to the Reform UK leader between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026.
Kerry sat cross-legged with his arms folded as he appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Belmarsh on Friday.
Wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit, he muttered, ‘Yeah that’s right’ when asked to confirm his name.
No pleas were entered during the brief pre-trial hearing, but his lawyer indicated that Kerry will fight the charges.
Defending, Nicholas Lumley, KC, said: ‘We can give no indication of plea, but it is likely to be contested.’
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb fixed a trial for June next year.
