The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has appeared in court charged with a terror plot against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Joshua Kerry, 28, is accused of one count of preparation of terrorist acts relating to alleged activity between May 31, 2024, and July 8, 2026.
Online reconnaissance allegations
Kerry is accused of carrying out research into a number of prominent people and individuals. According to court documents, this included the home address of Mr Farage.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that he is accused of carrying out 'online reconnaissance on prominent people and institutions on various dates between May 31, 2024 and July 8, 2026, including identifying the home address of Nigel Farage'.
Alleged incident at Farage's home
He is alleged to have travelled to Mr Farage’s home on April 20 last year. Mr Farage’s partner, Laure Ferrari, returned home to find damage to the door and a bottle of lighter fluid in the porch.
Mr Malik said a tool mark from a 27mm blade was found on the doorframe, and that 'the inference is that an attempt was made to gain entry to the house'.
Court appearance and murder charge
Kerry appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (October 7). Wearing a grey tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm his identity.
Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Miss Widdecombe, 78, died on July 8. She was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, a court previously heard. Kerry, of Byrley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is also accused of her murder.
Back in August, counter-terror police reopened a year-long probe into an alleged attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London. Investigating the incident as an ‘attempted burglary’, the Metropolitan Police and CTP London made no arrests before the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.
CTP London identified a line of inquiry which it said ‘may have been relevant’ but had not been “identified and pursued by them at the time’ following its reopening. Kerry will next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.
