Joshua Kerry charged with preparing terrorist acts, including against Nigel Farage

Right · 3Joshua Kerry, 28, of Byrley Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was charged on Friday 2 October 2026 with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP, Counter Terrorism Policing said. 1 2 3 Left · 1The single count is one of preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006, and followed authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. 2 Right · 2The charge relates to activity alleged to have taken place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026. 1 3

Right · 1Kerry is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 7 October, police said. 1 Mixed · 2Most outlets describe Kerry as the man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe, a Reform UK spokeswoman and former Conservative minister; the Daily Mirror's report does not mention her. 4 5 Right · 2Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the force had been running "a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time" and that the charge was "a result of the tireless work of investigators across the Counter Terrorism Policing network". 1 3

Mixed · 2Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said prosecutors had "carefully reviewed the evidence" and would keep working with police as the investigation continues. 6 4 Mixed · 2Kerry was charged in July with Widdecombe's murder; the Guardian says she was 78 and was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, as a court previously heard, and that he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address at a July hearing without being asked to plead. 5 4 Left · 1Metro reports a provisional murder trial date of 8 June 2027, and says Farage revealed earlier this year that a lit incendiary device was posted through his letterbox in April 2025, which police investigated as an attempted burglary with no arrests; Metro does not link that incident to Kerry. 6

Right · 1The Irish Independent adds that in August Counter Terrorism Policing reopened a year-long probe into the alleged firebomb attack at Farage's south London home, saying a line of inquiry "may have been relevant" had not been pursued at the time; the Metropolitan Police and CTP London had investigated it as an "attempted burglary". 7 Mixed · 2Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the charges would be "extremely concerning", expressed sympathy to Farage and his family, said the case raised "serious questions about the security of those in public life", and promised an update on protections once Parliament returns. 6 8 Right · 1GB News adds that Labour was accused of cutting Farage's taxpayer-funded protection, which a Reform UK spokesman said was about 75 per cent of what he had been offered; Farage says he received 1,577 threats since February, including 597 death threats. 8

Left · 1ABC News (Australia), citing Reuters, reports that Reform UK's polling lead has eroded amid party-funding allegations and Andy Burnham becoming prime minister, and that Farage faces a parliamentary investigation over whether he should have declared a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency investor, which he has said was needed for his security; a Reform UK source said: "This is exactly why Nigel needed £5m to protect his security for life." 9 Right · 1Fox News says prosecutors allege Widdecombe was killed in an attack lasting two minutes and that her wallet was taken, and that Kerry has been in custody since late July; it also quotes the Jo Cox Foundation saying no one in public life should have to fear for their safety. 10 Right · 1Fox News also reports, as a separate matter, that Counter Terrorism Policing charged two Iranian men, Salam Ahmadyan, 36, and Rahman Salehi, 34, with preparing terrorist acts targeting the Jewish community in the Manchester area; this is unrelated to the Kerry case. 10

Mixed · 3Outlets describe Farage differently: Arab News calls him "hard-right" and "far-right", Deutsche Welle "far-right" and ABC "hard-right", while most UK outlets call him Reform UK leader; several also note Widdecombe was the third UK politician murdered this decade, after Jo Cox (2016) and David Amess (2021). 11 12 9 Mixed · 2Outlets differ on the date of Widdecombe's death: the Evening Standard and the Irish Independent say she died on 8 July, while the BBC and ABC say she was found dead on 9 July (ABC says after being attacked the day before). 7 9