Joshua Kerry, 28, has been named as the man arrested on suspicion of murdering former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe. Counter-terror detectives are questioning Kerry, who is suspected of targeting the 78-year-old at her bungalow in Devon.
Kerry was arrested last Saturday night at his council house home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Initially, police treated Widdecombe's death as a burglary gone wrong, but two days later, they rearrested Kerry on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. He remains in custody and can be held until Tuesday, when officers may apply for an extension.
Timeline of the Attack
Widdecombe was attacked at her home on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, just 30 minutes before she was scheduled to appear via video call on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show. She last messaged a producer at 12:19 pm but failed to respond to a text at 12:48 pm. Devon and Cornwall Police revealed she was killed at around 12:30 pm in the bungalow where she lived alone with her cat on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Her body remained undiscovered for nearly 24 hours before being found in the kitchen at 11:40 am the next day.
Political Career and Public Life
Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987. She later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and as a spokeswoman for Reform UK. She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had spoken to his successor Andy Burnham, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform UK's Mr. Farage to urge unity in the wake of her death.
Tributes from Political Figures
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood paid tribute, saying: 'Ann Widdecombe dedicated her life to politics and public service. For nearly 40 years, she was a fixture of our political life. She brought conviction to our politics, grounded in her profound Catholic faith. She was forthright in her opinions and argued courageously for the things she believed in. But, perhaps most of all, she brought an inimitable style to politics. She was forthright and fearless. She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics.'
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid tribute, urging MPs not to say anything that might prejudice a future trial. He said: 'Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life. She was a member of Parliament for Maidstone for 23 years, holding a number of ministerial posts in the 1990s. Ann was fierce and enjoyed robust political debate. Whether you agreed with her or not, she was principled, spoke her mind and was true to her beliefs, informed by a Christian faith. On a personal level, Casa Pizza in Lambeth is where I spent a lot of time in the evening sharing a pizza with the one and only Ann Widdecombe. She was a friend in many ways. Politically we may not agree, but she was without doubt a courageous, principled politician and all our thoughts are with her family and her friends.'
Investigation Status
Counter Terrorism Policing took over the investigation after Devon and Cornwall Police initially said there was 'nothing to suggest' the killing had been politically motivated. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.
