Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, has been charged with the murder of former Conservative MP and Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe, the Crown Prosecution Service announced. Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead in her bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor National Park on July 8, 2026, just 30 minutes before she was due to appear via video link on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show.
Timeline of the attack
Devon and Cornwall Police believe Ms Widdecombe was killed at approximately 12:30pm on July 8. She had last messaged a producer at 12:19pm but failed to respond to a text at 12:48pm. Her body was discovered in the kitchen of her home at 11:40am the following day, almost 24 hours after the attack. Police have described the killing as a 'targeted attack'.
Tributes from political leaders
Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was in office at the time of her death, said he had spoken to then-new PM Andy Burnham, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform UK's Nigel Farage to 'urge everybody to come together at a moment like this'. Starmer paid tribute to Ms Widdecombe, saying: '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.'
The Home Secretary added: 'She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics.'
Parliamentary tribute
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid tribute in the chamber, 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.'
Sir Lindsay added a personal note: '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.'
Background
Ann Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP for Maidstone in 1987 and later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and a spokeswoman for Reform UK. She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. Joshua Kerry has been charged with her murder and is expected to appear in court.
