UK police charge man, 28, with murder of late politician Ann Widdecombe

Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old man, faces a murder charge in connection with the death of former Conservative Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe. Kerry was also charged with acts of terror after more than a week in custody.

British prosecutors stated that the investigation into Kerry's motive is ongoing, with a potential political or terrorist connection being explored. Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, emphasized the complexity of the investigation, which involves examining over 800 lines of inquiry.

Widdecombe, 78, a former MP known for her socially conservative views, was found dead in her isolated rural home in southwest England on July 9. Police believe she was attacked the previous day. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, authorities described the incident as a targeted and brutal attack involving "serious injuries."

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I want to make it very clear that our investigation into this individual, determining his motivations and any wider activity he may have been involved in is continuing.

Kerry was initially arrested on July 11 in South Yorkshire, over 200 miles from Widdecombe's home. New evidence led to his rearrest on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Widdecombe served in Parliament from 1987 to 2010 and later gained public recognition through reality television shows. She was a prominent figure in the Brexit movement and most recently associated with the anti-immigration Reform UK party. Her death has heightened concerns about security for politicians in the UK.

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Given Ann Widdecombe’s profile and the targeted nature of the attack, determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation for our detectives.