Kerry Trial Set for June as Prosecutors Link Widdecombe Murder to Farage Terror Plot

Key points

• Joshua Kerry is charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe, 78, and preparing terrorist acts against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
• Prosecutors allege Kerry had an 'extreme left-wing and/or anti-establishment mindset' and 'particular hostility' toward Reform UK.
• The murder occurred on July 9, 2026, at Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, Devon, where she was struck 21 times with a hammer.
• Kerry is also accused of attempting to break into Farage’s South London home in April 2025, with his DNA found on lighter fluid left at the scene.
• Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb joined the two charges into a single case, setting the trial date for June 8, 2026.
• Defense lawyer Nicholas Lumley KC indicated Kerry will likely contest all charges.

Background

Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and MP for Maidstone and the Weald, joined Reform UK in 2019. Her murder has intensified debates over security for politicians, following the 2016 shooting of Jo Cox and the 2021 stabbing of David Amess. In October 2026, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the terror charges 'extremely concerning' and pledged to review security protections. Kerry was initially charged with murder in July 2026, with the terror charges added in late September 2026.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and Newsday/AP agree that prosecutors view Kerry’s actions as ideologically motivated, citing his 'extreme left-wing' views and 'particular hostility' toward Reform UK. Both outlets confirm the prosecution’s argument that the murder and the terror plot are 'inextricably linked.' Newsday/AP provides additional detail on the physical evidence, noting Kerry’s DNA was found on a bottle of lighter fluid at Farage’s home, and that Kerry drove 265 miles from northern England to commit the murder. The Telegraph source was inaccessible due to a security block, offering no additional perspective.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of politicians in the UK, particularly those associated with Reform UK. The linking of a murder charge with a terror plot underscores the potential for ideological violence to target political figures. The trial will test the prosecution’s ability to connect Kerry’s actions to a broader terrorist intent, potentially influencing future security protocols for public officials.

What to watch

The next hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2026. The five-week trial begins on June 8, 2026. Kerry is expected to contest all charges, and the outcome will determine whether the prosecution can successfully link the murder to a terrorist motive.