A 28-year-old man, Joshua Kerry, has been charged with the murder of former British politician Ann Widdecombe. Kerry, a resident of Rotherham, England, was initially arrested on July 11 under suspicion of murder. He was later rearrested on additional charges related to terrorism after new evidence emerged, according to reports from ABC News.
Kerry spent over a week in custody before being formally charged on July 20. He is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Authorities allege that Kerry traveled more than 300 miles to Widdecombe’s residence, where she was reportedly attacked around 12:30 p.m. on July 8. Widdecombe was found deceased approximately 24 hours later.
Investigators are looking into the reasons behind the attack, including potential political or terrorist motives. Kerry, who worked for an elevator repair company, lived alone and had become less visible in the community following the death of his father from stomach cancer in December. Neighbors noted that he was rarely seen after this event. Additionally, newspaper clippings related to the Reform Party were discovered in his home.
Widdecombe, aged 78, was known for her leadership in the Reform Party and her strong social conservative and Eurosceptic views. She gained popularity in recent years after participating in the television show Strictly Come Dancing. Gawain Towler, a board member of Reform UK, has criticized the police for their handling of the investigation, claiming they misled the public regarding the circumstances of Widdecombe’s death.