Inquest Hears Details of Widdecombe's Death
The cause of death of former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe is yet to be established, the opening of an inquest into her death has heard. The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9, having suffered “visible injuries”, a brief hearing at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Philip Spinney, senior coroner for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said Miss Widdecombe was found unresponsive in her home by an employee carrying out a welfare check after concerns were raised due to her being “uncontactable”. Emergency services were called to her address in Haytor Vale but she was pronounced dead at 12.20pm on July 9.
Post-Mortem Inconclusive, Inquest Suspended
Mr Spinney said: “A post-mortem examination has taken place and at this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established. Shortly after the conclusion of this hearing I shall be taking steps to formally suspend this inquest… Until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.”
The inquest was adjourned pending the outcome of a murder case against a 28-year-old man.
Man Charged with Murder
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning charged with the murder of the Reform UK spokeswoman. Kerry was first arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Widdecombe was found dead. Two days after his arrest for murder, Kerry was additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but he has not been charged with this offence.
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor. Police inquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection. Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.”
Widdecombe's Political and Media Career
Miss Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, and went on to become an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK. She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
