Story perspectives

Man Charged with Murder of Ex-MP Ann Widdecombe

7/22/2026

Summary

Kerry Charged Murder

Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, was charged with murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe.
Widdecombe, 78, was attacked on 8 July in Haytor, Devon and found dead on 9 July.
He was arrested on 11 July, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 21 July, and was remanded.
Crown prosecutor Frank Ferguson said evidence supports murder charges while police probe over 800 lines of inquiry, including possible political or terrorist motives.

Summary

Kerry Home Search

Police found Reform UK and Nigel Farage clippings and Russian communist literature at Joshua Kerry’s home, prompting investigators to consider motive.
Neighbours said the 28-year-old lived in a council house on Rotherham’s Kimberworth Park estate, in England’s most deprived areas and 93.5 % White British.
Family said that after he cared for an amputee father who died before Christmas 2025, Kerry “spiraled,” with uncle noting his legs went “like jelly” after the arrest.

History

Historical Context

Jo Cox’s 2016 murder, the first killing of a sitting MP since Conservative Ian Gow was assassinated in 1990, sparked a wave of concern over far-right extremism and a surge in hate-crime reports after the Brexit vote. The 2024 killing of former MP Ann Widdecombe revived those security worries and fueled renewed calls for tighter protection of parliamentarians.

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Kerry Charged Murder

Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, was charged with murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe.
Widdecombe, 78, was attacked on 8 July in Haytor, Devon and found dead on 9 July.
He was arrested on 11 July, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 21 July, and was remanded.
Crown prosecutor Frank Ferguson said evidence supports murder charges while police probe over 800 lines of inquiry, including possible political or terrorist motives.

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