A 28-year-old man already accused of murdering former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has now been charged with planning terrorist acts targeting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Counter-terrorism officers charged Joshua Kerry on Friday with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, following an extensive investigation.
The newly filed terrorism charge relates to alleged activities spanning more than two years, specifically between May 2024 and July 2026. Kerry, who is from Rotherham, is scheduled to make a court appearance regarding the terror charge on Wednesday. This development follows his arrest and subsequent charge in July for the murder of 78-year-old Widdecombe.
Widdecombe was discovered dead on Thursday 9 July at her residence in Haytor, Devon, having suffered severe injuries. She had a long and prominent career in British public life, serving as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years. During the 1990s, she held several ministerial positions within Sir John Major's administration. After leaving the House of Commons, she became a well-known television figure, appearing on the popular show Strictly Come Dancing, and later took on the role of spokeswoman for Reform UK.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reacted to the new terrorism charge, describing it as "extremely concerning" and offering her "profound sympathies" to Farage and his family. Mahmood emphasized the broader implications of the threat, stating, "Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all." She added that the case "raises serious questions about the security of those in public life" and declared, "We must use this as an opportunity to reset. Once parliament returns, I will update on our work to strengthen protections for those who choose to serve."
In response to the charges, a Reform UK party source commented on the ongoing security concerns surrounding their leader, stating, "This is exactly why Nigel needed £5m to protect his security for life." Farage is currently the subject of an investigation by a parliamentary standards watchdog over a £5 million gift received from a billionaire donor prior to his return as an MP in 2024. Farage has previously defended the donation, asserting that the funds were strictly intended to cover his personal security.
Law enforcement and prosecution officials highlighted the scale of the operation that led to Friday's charge. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing stated that the charge was the outcome of a "hugely intensive and complex investigation" conducted by a dedicated team of detectives, analysts, and forensic experts working across multiple lines of enquiry. Frank Ferguson, representing the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, confirmed that prosecutors "worked closely" with police to secure the charge and would maintain their close collaboration as the investigation proceeds.
