Detectives are continuing to investigate any possible political or terrorist motivation for the murder of Ann Widdecombe after a 28-year-old man was charged with the killing.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with murder, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
He was first arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11th, two days after the 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Devon.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, Laurence Taylor, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said: “I want to make it very clear that our investigation into this individual, determining his motivations and any wider activity he may have been involved in is continuing.
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“Given Ann Widdecombe’s profile and the targeted nature of the attack, determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation for our detectives.
“And as with all murder investigations, understanding the why is a key part of our inquiries.
“This has been, and remains, a particularly intensive and complex investigation.”
He said that detectives are working through more than 800 lines of inquiry and asked for time for investigators to carry out the work.
Two days after he was arrested for murder, Kerry was additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but has not been charged with this offence.
Frank Ferguson, chief Crown prosecutor of the special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.
“Police inquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.
“Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.”
Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987 and went on to become an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Tributes were paid to her by figures across the political spectrum after her death, with UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood calling her “one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics”.
Prime minister Andy Burnham called for a serious review of MPs’ safety after she died. Taylor said officers are working with UK parliamentary officials to make politicians aware of protection measures that are in place.
He said: “I know many have been understandably concerned about their own safety after this horrendous attack, particularly after hearing about the nature of the attack she endured in her own home.
“We are working closely with the speaker of the House and the relevant authorities to ensure elected officials are aware of what we have in place to protect them.” – PA
