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Joshua Kerry Charged with Murder of Ex-MP Widdecombe

7/22/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged on July 8 2026 with murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe.
He entered Widdecombe’s Devon kitchen, struck her 21 times, fled within two minutes, and police linked a red Vauxhall Corsa and DNA-stained gloves to him.
Kerry was arrested on July 11, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and was denied bail.
A case-management hearing is set for October 9 2026, with trial slated for June 8 2027 and motive under review.

History

Historical Context

Jo Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed on 16 June 2016, the first killing of a sitting British MP since Conservative Ian Gow’s 1990 IRA assassination. Her murder prompted the 2016 launch of Operation Bridger, a nationwide MP protection scheme, and the 2016 by-election saw Labour’s Tracy Brabin win with 86 per cent of the vote.

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Story summary

Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged on July 8 2026 with murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe.
He entered Widdecombe’s Devon kitchen, struck her 21 times, fled within two minutes, and police linked a red Vauxhall Corsa and DNA-stained gloves to him.
Kerry was arrested on July 11, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and was denied bail.
A case-management hearing is set for October 9 2026, with trial slated for June 8 2027 and motive under review.

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