Joshua Kerry, 28, is being questioned by counter-terror detectives on suspicion of murdering former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe in her Devon bungalow. Kerry was arrested last Saturday at his council house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and remains in custody. Police initially treated Ms Widdecombe's death as a burglary gone wrong, but later rearrested Kerry on suspicion of terrorism offences. He can be held until Tuesday, when officers may apply for an extension.
Details of the Attack
Ms Widdecombe, 78, was bludgeoned to death in her home on Wednesday, July 8, just 30 minutes before she was due to appear via video call on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show. She last messaged a producer at 12:19pm but failed to respond to a text at 12:48pm. Devon and Cornwall Police revealed she was killed at 12:30pm in her bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, where she lived alone with her cat. Her body was discovered in the kitchen almost 24 hours later, at 11:40am the next day.
Suspect's Background
Kerry, pictured in 2022 wearing jeans and a green shirt, smiling while holding a jar of Easter eggs, has been described as bespectacled. He was arrested at his council house in Rotherham. Counter Terrorism Policing has taken over the investigation, though Devon and Cornwall Police initially said there was "nothing to suggest" the murder was politically motivated.
Tributes to Ann Widdecombe
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he spoke to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform UK's Nigel Farage to "urge everybody to come together at a moment like this." 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." Mahmood added: "She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics."
Parliamentary Tributes
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."
