Man charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe and targeting Nigel Farage was motivated by extreme left-wing mindset and hostility to Reform, court hears

Published: 10:05 EDT, 9 October 2026 | Updated: 10:34 EDT, 9 October 2026 The man charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe and later charged with a terrorism offence targeting Nigel Farage was motivated by an extreme left-wing mindset and 'hostility to Reform,' prosecutors have said.Joshua Kerry, 28, appeared in court on Friday charged with the murder of prominent Reform UK figure and former MP Ms Widdecombe, who prosecutors say was repeatedly hit on the head with a hammer at her home in Devon on July 8.Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was subsequently charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts between May 2024 and July this year. He is accused of carrying out research on prominent people and travelling to, and attempting to gain entry to, Reform UK leader Mr Farage's home.Speaking in court, prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said Kerry had an 'extreme left-wing and/or an anti-establishment mindset' and 'held particularly hostility towards Reform'.He also said Kerry had compiled a list 'that contained the names of politicians and prominent figures' including Mr Farage and Ms Widdecombe, but did not provide any other names. Mr Polnay added prosecutors would allege Widdecombe's murder 'has a terrorist connection – we say it was politically and ideologically motivated'.Kerry, who appeared in court by video link from Belmarsh prison, was not asked to enter any pleas and was remanded in custody until his next hearing in January. A court heard Joshua Kerry - who is charged with the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe - was motivated by an extreme left-wing mindset and 'hostility to Reform' Ms Widdecombe died on July 8 after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon Kerry is said to have compiled a list 'that contained the names of politicians and prominent figures' including Mr Farage and Ms Widdecombe