Badenoch on list found in home of Widdecombe suspect

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and members of her Shadow Cabinet were among more than 100 high-profile figures named in a dossier discovered at the home of the man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe, The i Paper can reveal. The dossier is understood to contain the names of senior Reform figures, independent MP Rosie Duffield, and a large number of former and serving MPs and peers, as well as potentially other prominent public figures. Names on the list include shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat, and his predecessor Priti Patel, who was also home secretary. Shorts Those named have been contacted by police in recent days – despite claims that officers were aware of the dossier shortly after Joshua Kerry was arrested in July. It was discovered during searches of the home of Kerry, 28, who has been charged with the murder of Widdecombe at her home in Devon. The revelation raises fresh questions over whether police did enough to warn politicians whose names appeared in the material, and whether additional security measures should have been put in place sooner. It is understood that even the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has not been given a list of the MPs affected. The i Paper was first told about the possible existence of a list in July. Neither police nor the Home Office responded to questions about it at the time. Kerry has also been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Concerns about security of those in public life On Wednesday, Kerry appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where prosecutors alleged that he had carried out online reconnaissance of “prominent people and institutions” between 31 May 2024 and 8 July this year, including Farage. The court also heard that Farage’s partner, Laure Ferrari, discovered damage to the main front door of their home on 20 April last year. Part of the wooden door frame was hanging off and a bottle of lighter fluid was found in the porch. Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that a tool mark from a 27mm blade had been found on the door frame, adding that “the inference is that an attempt was made to gain entry to” Farage’s house. Widdecombe, 78, a former Tory minister and Reform spokeswoman, died on 8 July after she was allegedly struck over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, the court has previously heard. Kerry, of Rotherham, was charged with her murder on 20 July. In August, counter-terrorism police reopened a year-long investigation into an alleged attack at Farage’s home in south London. Farage has previously said he was the target of an attempted firebombing at his home in April last year. The incident was initially treated as an attempted burglary before being reopened by counter-terrorism officers examining its circumstances in connection with the Widdecombe investigation. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the latest developments “raise serious questions about the security of those in public life”. She added: “We must use this as an opportunity to reset. Once Parliament returns [on 12 October], I will update on our work to strengthen protections for those who choose to serve.” Kerry was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday. The Met Police have been approached for comment.