Ann Widdecombe, a former UK politician and member of the Reform UK party, was found dead in her home in Haytor Vale, Devon, on July 9, 2026. Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old man from Rotherham, has been charged with her murder and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead by emergency services on the morning of July 9 after she failed to appear for a scheduled TV interview on July 8. The police believe she was attacked on July 8 and found dead the next day in her isolated rural home on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Her body was found with serious injuries, which the police described as the result of a targeted and brutal attack.

Joshua Kerry was arrested on July 11 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, more than 200 miles from the crime scene. He was initially held on suspicion of murder and later rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism after new evidence was found while he was in custody. Kerry remains in custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The investigation into the motive for the murder is ongoing. Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, stated that determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation. The police are working through more than 800 lines of inquiry.

Widdecombe was a prominent figure in British politics for decades. She served as a Conservative member of parliament from 1987 to 2010 and was a minister in Prime Minister John Major's government from 1994 to 1997. She later joined the Brexit Party, winning a seat in the European Parliament, and became a spokesperson for the Reform UK party.

Known for her blunt-speaking style and socially conservative views, Widdecombe opposed abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights. She was also a familiar face on British television, appearing on shows like "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother." A Catholic convert, Widdecombe had called for the reintroduction of the death penalty.

The death of Widdecombe has shocked the British political world. She was a prominent voice for decades, serving in various roles and being known for her outspoken views. The incident adds to mounting concerns over political violence in the UK, with the murders of two sitting members of parliament in the past decade.

The police initially detained a 26-year-old man from Newton Abbot, Devon, but he was released without charge.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the charges against Kerry. Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said that the investigation into the motives of the accused is ongoing, including the examination of a possible political or terrorist background.

The police have not disclosed the cause of death but have described the attack as targeted and brutal. The investigation is intensive and complex, with detectives working to understand the full circumstances of the crime.

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Articles

britische Ministerin: 28-Jähriger wegen Mordes an Ann Widdecombe angeklagt Die konservative Brexit-Politikerin und Farage-Verbündete Ann Widdecombe wird tot in ihrem Haus aufgefunden. Zeitig wird ein Tatverdächtiger ermittelt. Jetzt folgt die Anklage.

faz · about 8 hours ago

Britse man (28) aangeklaagd voor moord op oud-politicus Widdecombe

de morgen · about 9 hours ago

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Ride or Die — Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer dodge assassins and husbands The jovial Prime show is a study of mid-life female friendship contained in a predictable comedy thriller series

financial times · about 9 hours ago

Suspect charged in fatal attack on UK politician Ann Widdecombe Police say a possible political motive is under investigation in the killing of the Reform UK figure.

aljazeera · about 10 hours ago

U.K. Prosecutors File Murder Charge in Ann Widdecombe Death A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of Ann Widdecombe, a right-wing figure whose body was found in her home this month.

new york times · about 10 hours ago

British prosecutors charge man with murder of former politician Ann Widdecombe British prosecutors charged a 28-year-old man with murder Monday in the death of former politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe. Joshua Kerry was charged after more than…

japantoday · about 10 hours ago

Ένας 28χρονος κατηγορείται για την δολοφονία της συντηρητικής πολιτικού Αν Γουίτικαμ στην Βρετανία Η 78χρονη ήταν εξέχων στέλεχος του λαϊκιστικού, ακροδεξιού κόμματος Reform UK του Νάιτζελ Φάρατζ - Βρέθηκε νεκρή στο σπίτι της, σε αγροτική περιοχή της νοτιοδυτικής Αγγλίας

protothema · about 11 hours ago

Joshua Kerry, 28, åtalas för mordet på Ann Widdecombe Joshua Kerry, 28, åtalas för mordet på exministern Ann Widdecombe. Han har tidigare arbetat med att reparera hissar och beskrivs som blyg.

expressen · about 11 hours ago

Britannia | 28-vuotiaalle miehelle syytteet ex-ministerin murhasta Poliisi selvittää edelleen, oliko Ann Widdecomben murhalla poliittista tai terroristista motiivia.

helsingin sanomat · about 11 hours ago

Homem de 28 anos acusado do homicídio de Ann Widdecombe Participante no Big Brother e ex-deputada conservadora, Ann Widdecombe foi encontrada morta em casa este mês

observador · about 11 hours ago

Joshua Kerry charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe

bluesky_The Times · about 12 hours ago

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welt.de · about 12 hours ago

Ermittlungen in England: Mordanklage im britischen Fall Ann Widdecombe Die Brexit-Politikerin Ann Widdecombe wird tot in ihrem Haus aufgefunden. Zeitig wird ein Tatverdächtiger ermittelt. Jetzt folgt die Anklage.

handelsblatt · about 12 hours ago

Man charged with murdering former UK minister Ann Widdecombe, motive still unclear British prosecutors said on Monday a 28-year-old man had been charged with murdering former government minister Ann Widdecombe, and police said they were still investigating why she was attacked. Widdecombe, 78, who was a prominent member of Nigel Farages populist Reform UK, was found at her home in rural southwest England on July 9, after […]

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thejournal · about 13 hours ago

Man, 28, charged with murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe

bluesky_The Guardian · about 13 hours ago

UK man charged with murder of right-wing ex-MP Ann Widdecombe Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested in his hometown of Rotherham in Yorkshire, northern England, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) from Ann Widdecombes home. The former Conservative minister, a spokesperson for the far-right Reform UK party, was found dead in her home in Devon on July 9. Kerry was charged after a police investigation.

le monde · about 13 hours ago

Cine e suspectul în cazul uciderii lui Ann Widdecombe: fotografia lui Joshua Kerry, dată publicității Suspectul în cazul uciderii lui Ann Widdecombe se numește Joshua Kerry și există informații că ar fi parcurs circa 480 de kilometri cu mașina de la Rotherham până la reședința victimei din Devon. El este interogat sub suspiciunea de crimă și infracțiuni de terorism, scrie The Times. Imaginea suspectului a fost dată publicității la nouă zile după ce fosta deputată britanică a fost găsită moartă.

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irish times · about 13 hours ago

Mann siktet for drap på Reform-politiker i England En 28 år gammel britisk mann er siktet for drapet på Reform-talsperson og tidligere parlamentariker Ann Widdecombe i…

aftenposten · about 13 hours ago

Man charged with Ann Widdecombe murder Joshua Kerry will appear in court on Tuesday in relation to the killing of former Conservative minister

financial times · about 13 hours ago

Joshua Kerry charged in killing of ex - UK politician Ann Widdecombe

gdelt bot · about 13 hours ago

Bývalú konzervatívnu političku našli mŕtvu v dome. Britská prokuratúra už má obvineného z vraždy Britskú exposlankyňu Ann Widdecombeovú našli brutálne zavraždenú v jej dome v Devone. Z vraždy obvinili 28 ročného Joshuu Kerryho, na súde stane v utorok.

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elmundo · about 13 hours ago

GB: Mordanklage im Fall Widdecombe

orf.at · about 13 hours ago

Man tells trial he heard voice saying I told him I would kill him on night Cork postman was found dead A 17-year-old male has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Barry Daly on 12 October 2025.

thejournal · about 13 hours ago

Man (28) charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe Britains Crown Prosecution Service said Joshua Kerry will appear in court on Tuesday.

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