Man charged with murdering ex-UK minister Widdecombe
A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of former government minister Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead in her home earlier this month, UK prosecutors said.
Widdecombe, a former Conservative party minister and later a member of Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK, was found at his home in rural southwest England on July 9 after suffering what police described as serious injuries.
He withdrew from parliament in 2010.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham in northern England, has been charged with murder, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
He was first arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after the 78-year-old Reform UK spokesman was found dead at his home in Devon.
On July 13, he was also arrested on suspicion of committing, preparing or instigating terrorist acts.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday.
“Police investigations into the defendant’s motives, including any potential political or terrorist affiliation, are ongoing,” police said.
Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP for Kent in 1987 and later became an MP for the Brexit Party and then spokesperson for Reform UK.
He also rose to fame outside of politics after starring in TV shows Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
with AP and PA
