Prosecutors told a UK court that the attack was caught on camera from inside Ann Widdecombe's home whilst she was eating her lunch.
Brexit Party member and southwest MEP Ann Widdecombe addresses the final event of the Brexit Party's We are Ready tour, in Westminster in central London on Sep 27, 2019. (Photo: AFP/Isabel Infantes)
22 Jul 2026 12:39AM
LONDON: Former British government minister Ann Widdecombe was killed by a man who struck her on the head 21 times with a hammer while she was eating lunch at home earlier this month, prosecutors told a London court on Tuesday (Jul 21).Widdecombe, 78, a prominent figure in Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party, was found dead at her home in rural southwest England on Jul 9 after being attacked the day before.The killing shocked British politics, raising further concerns about politicians' security, with two serving British members of parliament having been killed since 2016.Joshua Kerry, a white British national from Rotherham in northern England, more than 250 miles (402 km) from Widdecombe's home, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with her murder.
The bearded 28-year-old, who appeared in the dock at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a grey tracksuit, was not asked to enter a plea.At a later hearing at the Old Bailey court, Kerry was remanded in custody until his next appearance in October.Police have said they believe Widdecombe was targeted, although the motive remains under investigation. Prosecutors said an investigation into possible terrorism offences was ongoing.
