Man charged on murder count after former MP Ann Widdecombe attacked with hammer

Former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe was struck on the head 21 times with a hammer during an attack at her Devon home, prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates' Court. Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old from Rotherham, has been charged with her murder. Counter-terrorism detectives took the case after investigators examined whether political or terrorist motives were involved.

The Attack and Discovery

According to prosecution statements, Kerry arrived at Widdecombe's property in Haytor Vale on July 8 in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Wearing black gloves, he allegedly spent approximately two minutes in the house before attacking the 78-year-old as she ate lunch in her kitchen. Prosecutors described the assault as carried out with "ferocity of violence." After striking her repeatedly, he allegedly tipped her from her chair, took her wallet, and drove away.

Widdecombe's body was not discovered until the following day. She failed to attend a pre-arranged online interview with Channel 5's Matt Allwright show scheduled for just after 1 p.m. on July 8. When production staff could not reach her, they asked her personal assistant to check on her. Her gardener subsequently entered the house on July 9 through the open front door and found her lying face down on the kitchen floor with serious head injuries. A pathologist gave a provisional cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Security camera footage from Widdecombe's home captured the attack, providing crucial evidence for prosecutors. Kerry appeared emotionless during his initial court hearing and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address. He has been remanded in custody and is expected to be held at HMP Belmarsh in southeast London. A provisional trial date has been set for June 8, 2027, with the next case management hearing scheduled for October 9.

Police inquiries into Kerry's motives remain ongoing. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that officers are investigating "a potential political or terrorist connection" to the killing. Initially, a 26-year-old man from Newton Abbot, Devon, was arrested but later released and removed from the investigation as new evidence emerged.