Nigel Farage left ‘horrified’ by cop bungles into ‘firebombing’ at his home after counter-terror police reopen probe

NIGEL Farage is said to be horrified that police botched an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack on his home — more than a year before the murder of Reform colleague Ann Widdecombe. Counter terror officers probing Ann’s death at her Dartmoor bungalow are now looking again at the April 2025 incident in London. Nigel Farage previously revealed that a ‘lit incendiary device’ was pushed through his letterbox Credit: PA Nigel, pictured with Reform colleague Ann Widdecombe, who was murdered at her home in July Credit: Reuters They said they had found a line of inquiry that they did not investigate at the time. And they referred themselves to watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Allies of Reform leader Mr Farage told The Sun on Sunday he was “horrified”. A source said: “There has been a very serious policing error which is why counter terror police have referred themselves to IOPC, which is unprecedented.” Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Only recently have the authorities woken up to the abuse and intimidation I and other Reform MPs have had, despite plenty of real examples that we have provided. “For too long, the threats we have faced have not been taken seriously. “The fact that the police have referred themselves to the IOPC speaks for itself. They recognise that they’ve messed up.” Mr Farage revealed that a “lit incendiary device” was pushed through his letterbox. Most read in The Sun Police at Ann’s Dartmoor home following her murder Credit: Getty Mr Farage visited Ann’s home to leave flowers following the murder Credit: Reuters At the time, police believed it was an attempted burglary gone wrong and the case was closed with no arrests made. But on Friday night Counter Terror Policing admitted there was a line of inquiry “which was not identified and pursued by them at the time, which may have been relevant”. Meanwhile, officers continue to investigate potential terrorist offences related to Ann’s murder last month in Haytor, Devon. There is no suggestion from police that the events are linked, nor has anyone been arrested over the burglary in April 2025. Met Police Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terror Policing, previously said one line of investigation involved whether the Widdecombe murder suspect was targeting “other Reform politicians”. Mr Farage, who visited Ann’s home to leave flowers, first spoke out about the incident at his then-house in Bromley, Kent, earlier this year following revelations he received a seven-figure personal gift to pay for his security. He told The Telegraph: “It was an outright arson attempt. “I wasn’t at home at the time but when I came back and opened the door I found the damage. “Luckily, it had burned itself out and we think maybe the perpetrators were disturbed in the act. The police were all over it. They did their best but there are no suspects so far.” Yesterday an IOPC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received yesterday. Ann’s family have been informed of the latest development. The former Conservative minister and Strictly star, 78, was found dead on July 8. Her killer is believed to have been inside her home for just two minutes during which time he hit her over the head with a hammer 21 times. Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, South Yorks, appeared in court last month charged with murder and remains under arrest on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Kerry was remanded in custody ahead of a trial next June. He has not entered a plea. He is alleged to have driven 267 miles to carry out the attack, entering through her front door. He is then said to have lashed out in her kitchen.