Inquest into Ann Widdecombe death opens; Kerry in court
An inquest into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe opened, and Joshua Kerry, charged with her murder, appeared in court where the prosecution alleged he struck her 21 times with a hammer.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The death of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe has led to a murder investigation, the arrest of a 28-year-old man, and a court appearance where prosecutors alleged he struck her 21 times with a hammer.
Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday 9 July. Police were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40am and found her with serious injuries. Initially, her death was reported as unexplained, but by Friday afternoon Devon and Cornwall Police had launched a murder investigation.
On Friday evening, a 26-year-old man from the local area was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was released the following morning and was no longer part of the investigation. The focus then shifted to Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on Saturday 11 July on suspicion of murder.
Over the weekend, police stated there was no information to suggest the killing was politically motivated or terrorism-related. However, on Monday 13 July, counter-terrorism police took over the investigation after new information and evidence came to light. The suspect was rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, told Parliament the suspect was not known to the Prevent programme.
On Tuesday 14 July, the head of counter-terrorism policing, Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Taylor, said it was clear Ms Widdecombe had been killed in a targeted attack. A warrant of further detention was granted, allowing the suspect to be held for up to seven days under the Terrorism Act.
On Monday 20 July, the Crown Prosecution Service charged Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, with the murder of Ann Widdecombe. An inquest into her death was opened the same day, with a provisional cause of death given as blunt force injury to the head.
On Tuesday 21 July, Mr Kerry appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and then at the Old Bailey. Prosecutors told the court that on 8 July, Ms Widdecombe was eating lunch in her kitchen when CCTV captured a car arriving and a man entering through the front door. It is alleged that Mr Kerry, wearing black gloves, hit her 21 times on the head with a hammer, took her wallet from her handbag, and left within two minutes. The attack was described as being carried out with a ferocity of violence. Mr Kerry was remanded in custody, and his trial is expected to begin in June next year.
The case has reignited debate about the safety of politicians, with the Home Secretary offering Reform UK leader Nigel Farage a meeting with the committee that oversees security for public figures. Ms Widdecombe's family have said a private funeral will take place, followed by a public memorial later in the year.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC NEWS | BBC One | BBC Two | Channel 4 | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was re-arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. | ||||||||
| A murder investigation was launched and a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. | ||||||||
| Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation. | ||||||||
| Anne Widdicombe died at the age of 78. | · | · | ||||||
| Police believe the attack occurred on Wednesday 8 July, the day before her body was found. | · | · | ||||||
| Police said it was a targeted attack. | · | · | ||||||
| The incident was not being treated as terrorism and there was no indication it was politically motivated. | · | · | ||||||
| Kerry is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 21 July 2026. | · | · | · | |||||
| Nigel Farage accepted the Home Secretary's offer of a meeting with RAVEC. | · | · | · | |||||
| The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charge, with Chief Crown Prosecutor Frank Ferguson making the statement. | · | · | · | |||||
| The Home Secretary offered Nigel Farage a meeting with the chair of RAVEC. | · | · | · | · | ||||
| Anne Widdicombe was due to appear on Channel 5 on Wednesday but did not show up. | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on the breaking news of her death initially, then provided updates on the murder investigation and court proceedings. It maintained a factual, chronological reporting style, often including political tributes and the broader context of her career.
- “We've learned in the last few minutes that Anne Widdicombe, the former MP and MEP, has died at the age of 78.”
- “The man accused of murdering the former government minister, Ann Widdecombe, allegedly struck her 21 times in the head with a hammer.”
Sky News provided continuous live updates, emphasizing the fast-paced nature of the investigation. It highlighted the initial arrest and release, the shift to counter-terrorism, and the community shock. It also included political reactions and the broader security debate.
- “A 26-year-old man arrested as part of a murder investigation of Anne Widdicombe is released from custody.”
- “Police say a 28-year-old white British man has been arrested in South Yorkshire.”
Channel 5 (5 News) focused heavily on the human interest and community impact, given that Ann Widdecombe was a regular contributor to the channel. It reported on her missed appearance and the timeline of her last known communications. It also provided detailed court reporting on the hammer attack.
- “Anne Widdicombe was actually due to appear on Five's daytime program on Wednesday afternoon of this week but she stopped responding to messages and then didn't show up to her appearance.”
- “Prosecutors say she was hit over the head 21 times with a hammer as she sat and ate lunch in her kitchen.”
BBC One West provided local perspective, with reporters at the scene and interviews with neighbours. It emphasized the shock in the rural community and the police presence. It also covered the inquest and court details with a focus on the local impact.
- “I'm devastated, I'm shocked and I just can't believe it. In this lovely setting where we live, it's so peaceful and I'm just absolutely devastated.”
- “The man accused of murdering the former government minister and Widdecombe allegedly struck her 21 times in the head with a hammer.”
ITV News provided comprehensive coverage, including live updates from press conferences, political reactions, and detailed court reporting. It highlighted the shift from non-political to counter-terrorism investigation and the security debate in Parliament.
- “We can confirm that a 26-year-old man was arrested at an address in Newton Abbott this afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Anne Widdecombe.”
- “Prosecutors said she had been hit on the head 21 times with a hammer while she was eating her lunch at her home on Dartmoor.”
Channel 4 News focused on the investigative twists, including the initial police statements and the later counter-terrorism involvement. It also covered the political fallout and the security concerns for Reform UK. It provided detailed court reporting on the hammer attack.
- “Police say the former MP, Anne Widdecombe, was attacked 24 hours before she was found dead at home as they released the 26-year-old man arrested yesterday without charge.”
- “Prosecution lawyers say that Kerry drove to Miss Widdecombe's home in Dartmoor and interrupted her having lunch. They said he was secretly carrying a hammer and after asking for her bank cards, he allegedly hit her over the head 21 times.”
GB News focused on the political implications, particularly the security of Reform UK politicians and criticism of police handling. It highlighted the shift from 'not politically motivated' to counter-terrorism, and featured panel discussions on MP safety and left-wing extremism.
- “Police launch a murder investigation into the death of former Tory MP and immigration spokesperson for Reform UK as the Telegraph lead with Widdicombe murder inquiry.”
- “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.”
BBC Two's Newsnight provided in-depth analysis of her political career and the impact of her death, with interviews with friends and colleagues. It focused on the 'something of the night' moment and her legacy, while also covering the murder investigation developments.
- “Anne Widdicombe, the kind of career we'll probably never see in British politics ever again.”
- “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.