The suspect in the murder of former MP and Reform UK party spokesperson Ann Widdecombe, Joshua Kerry, has now been officially charged with the killing.
Kerry, 28, was charged and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, per the Guardian. Widdecombe's body was found on July 9 with "serious injuries" and authorities believe that she was killed the day prior. Police later identified 28-year-old Joshua Kerry as the suspect in the murder. The case was handed over to counter-terrorism authorities.
Frank Ferguson, who is the chief crown prosecutor in the 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," he added. "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.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings," Ferguson added.
When Kerry was taken into custody at his home, police found newspaper clippings having to do with Nigel Farage as well as the Reform UK party pinned up on his wall. Kerry had been living there alone for over a year after his father died. Kerry had been seen on security footage leaving his home early in the morning with something that looked like a baton in his pocket on July 8 and then didn't come back until the evening.
Kerry, 28, was charged and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, per the Guardian. Widdecombe's body was found on July 9 with "serious injuries" and authorities believe that she was killed the day prior. Police later identified 28-year-old Joshua Kerry as the suspect in the murder. The case was handed over to counter-terrorism authorities.
Frank Ferguson, who is the chief crown prosecutor in the 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," he added. "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.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings," Ferguson added.
When Kerry was taken into custody at his home, police found newspaper clippings having to do with Nigel Farage as well as the Reform UK party pinned up on his wall. Kerry had been living there alone for over a year after his father died. Kerry had been seen on security footage leaving his home early in the morning with something that looked like a baton in his pocket on July 8 and then didn't come back until the evening.
