Story perspectives

Former MP Ann Widdecombe dies; police arrest terrorism suspect

8/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ann Widdecombe died on 9 July 2026 at her Haytor residence on Dartmoor, Devon.
Devon and Cornwall police detained a 26-year-old man from Newton Abbot but released him after clearing him.
Police arrested 28-year-old Joshua Kerry on suspicion of terrorism-related offences, though no terrorism charge was filed.
Widdecombe served 23 years as the Conservative MP for Maidstone and, in 2023, became Reform UK’s spokesperson following a Brexit Party MEP term.

History

Historical Context

On 7 July 2005 Islamist suicide bombers killed 52 people and injured nearly 800 on London’s transport network, prompting the UK government and the Metropolitan Police to raise the alert level, authorize new counter-terrorism measures and deploy armed sniper units. That precedent of swift, large-scale police action underpins the July 2026 Devon arrests of a Newton Abbot suspect and Joshua Kerry.

1 of 2

Story summary

Ann Widdecombe died on 9 July 2026 at her Haytor residence on Dartmoor, Devon.
Devon and Cornwall police detained a 26-year-old man from Newton Abbot but released him after clearing him.
Police arrested 28-year-old Joshua Kerry on suspicion of terrorism-related offences, though no terrorism charge was filed.
Widdecombe served 23 years as the Conservative MP for Maidstone and, in 2023, became Reform UK’s spokesperson following a Brexit Party MEP term.

1 / 2