Joshua Kerry charged with preparing terrorist acts against Nigel Farage

On 2 October, a 28‑year‑old man already in custody for the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe was charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including a plot against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Joshua Kerry, a Rotherham resident, was arrested in July after a police investigation linked him to the brutal killing of Widdecombe, who was struck 21 times with a hammer in her Devon home on 8 July. In the weeks that followed, police widened their focus to include Kerry’s alleged preparations for attacks on other politicians, culminating in the October 2 charge that names Nigel Farage as a target.

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UK man accused of planning terrorism acts against Nigel Farage also charged in murder of another politician

The new indictment, issued by the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter‑Terrorism Division, accuses Kerry of engaging in conduct “in preparation of acts of terrorism” between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026. The case is scheduled to be heard in London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 7 October, the same day Kerry is due to appear for the murder charge.

Senior National Coordinator for Counter‑Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, said the investigation had been “hugely intensive and complex”. She added that the charge was the outcome of “tireless work” by a dedicated team of detectives, analysts and forensic experts. “This investigation has been led by a dedicated team…working on multiple lines of enquiry, which has resulted in this very serious charge,” she said in a statement. The Crown Prosecution Service’s Frank Ferguson echoed the sentiment, noting that prosecutors had “worked closely with police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court.”

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has publicly expressed deep concern. She posted on X that the new charges “raise serious questions about the security of those in public life” and that an attack on any politician “is an attack on us all.”

The case has drawn attention to the policy debates surrounding Farage’s security. The Reform UK leader is currently under parliamentary scrutiny over a £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency investor, which he claims is essential for his personal protection. Reform UK spokespeople have reiterated that the money was “necessary to provide him with security.”

Political analysts warn that the Kerry indictment could have a ripple effect on the Reform UK party. The party, once a frontrunner in the polls, has seen its support wane amid funding controversies and the appointment of Andy Burnham as prime minister.

As the court date approaches, the focus will shift from the investigation to the legal proceedings. The Westminster Magistrates’ Court will hear both the terrorism charge and the murder charge.

For now, the case remains a developing story. The next key event will be the court hearing on 7 October, where the prosecution will present evidence linking Kerry’s actions to Farage and the broader terror plot.