Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsWorldAnn Widdecombe repeatedly hit with hammer, prosecutors sayWiddecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in 1987. At the time of her death she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for the populist far right Reform UKAuthor of the article:Last updated 1 minute ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.FILE: Ann Widdecombe sits on stage during an event to launch the Brexit Party general election campaign in London on November 1, 2019. Photo by BEN STANSALL /AFP via Getty ImagesA British man appeared in court for the first time accused of murdering ex-Conservative Party minister Ann Widdecombe by hitting her 21 times over the head with a hammer.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorJoshua Kerry, 28-years-old from Rotherham in Yorkshire, was arrested and charged with the murder of Widdecombe after she was found dead in her south west England home. FILE: Reform UK’s Ann Widdecombe delivers a speech on the opening day of the Reform UK 2024 annual Party Conference in Birmingham on September 20, 2024. Photo by OLI SCARFF /AFP via Getty ImagesProsecutors said during a Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing that Kerry allegedly drove to Widdecombe’s Devon home on July 8 and entered through the front door holding a hammer. He then allegedly attacked Widdecombe with the hammer before tipping her off a chair, taking her wallet and leaving the property.She was found by the family gardener a day later after concerns were raised about her whereabouts, the prosecutors said.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againKerry was held in custody pending another hearing at London’s Central Criminal Court later on Tuesday. Kerry spoke only to confirm his identity in court and has not entered a plea to the charges.Kerry was additionally arrested on suspicion of offenses under terrorism law and the investigation into his motives, including a terrorist or political connection, remain ongoing, lawyers said in court. A handout photograph released by the UK Parliament shows opposition Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood making a statement on the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe in the House of Commons in London on July 13, 2026. Photo by - /UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty ImagWiddecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an Member of European Parliament for the Brexit Party. At the time of her death she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for the populist far right Reform UK.Known for her blunt-speaking and socially conservative views, she was in favor of bringing back the death penalty and opposed moves to give gay people more rights.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.