Ann Widdecombe was 'hit over the head with a hammer 21 times', a court has heard. Joshua Kerry, 28 and from Rotherham, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with the murder of the 78-year-old politician.
Prosecution details
Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that former MP Ms Widdecombe was found by her gardener lying face down on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury. The court heard Ms Widdecombe had been hit over the head 21 times with a hammer.
Mr Malik told the court that, on July 8, Miss Widdecombe did not attend a pre-arranged online interview scheduled for just before 1pm, which would have been aired live on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show. The show's production team tried to contact the Reform UK spokeswoman through her personal assistant, who then asked the gardener to check on her, the court heard.
Alleged theft and arrest
Mr Malik told the court it was the prosecution's case that Ms Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa. The suspect is alleged to have taken a wallet out of her handbag before leaving and driving off.
Kerry, who appeared emotionless in the dock, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the short hearing. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded him in custody until his next court appearance, set to be at the Old Bailey on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Goldspring told Kerry: 'You're charged with an offence of murder which can only be dealt with in a crown court.'
Terrorism investigation
Kerry was first arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her remote bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor in Devon. Kerry was later further arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but he has not been charged with this offence.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.
Inquest and cause of death
Ms Widdecombe's inquest was formally opened at Exeter Coroners' Court today Tuesday, July 21. Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, confirmed a post-mortem examination had taken place but added: 'At this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established.' A provisional cause of death was given as 'blunt force injury to the head', the criminal court later heard.
Mr Spinney said: 'Ann Noreen Widdecombe died at Widdecombe's Rest, Haytor Vale, Haytor, Newton Abbott, Devon, on 9th July 2026 at 12.20pm. The circumstances of death are as follows. Concerns were raised that Miss Widdecombe was uncontactable so an employee who was due at her home address was asked to carry out a welfare check. Miss Widdecombe was located within her property. She was found to be unresponsive with visible injuries. The emergency services were called and she was sadly declared deceased at the scene. The inquest is now adjourned and in light of the information a 28-year-old gentleman is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today charged with Miss Widdecombe's murder.'
Political background
Ms Widdecombe was a Tory MP between 1987 and 2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone & The Weald, and held several ministerial positions in Sir John Major's government. She later switched allegiances to the Brexit Party and then Reform UK. At the time of her death she was Reform's immigration and justice spokesperson.
Ms Widdecombe's death follows the murders of Tory MP Sir David Amess in 2021 and Labour's Jo Cox in 2016. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week that a serious review was needed of MPs' security following Ms Widdecombe's death.
