Suspect charged in fatal attack on UK politician Ann Widdecombe

Lead

British prosecutors have charged a 28-year-old man with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former government minister and prominent conservative political figure. Joshua Kerry is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home near Dartmoor National Park in southwest England on July 9, a day after she missed a television interview. Police said she had sustained serious injuries but did not disclose how she died.

Coverage comparison

Reports of the charging decision have been carried by ABC Australia and Al Jazeera, with both outlets noting that police are investigating a possible political motive. ABC Australia reported that Kerry was arrested in Rotherham, more than 400 kilometres from Widdecombe's home, and that he was charged on Monday evening local time after being arrested a week prior. Al Jazeera added that Kerry was initially held on suspicion of murder until evidence uncovered while he was in custody led to his additional arrest on terror charges.

Earlier reporting from Al Jazeera indicated that a 26-year-old white British national had been arrested in Newton Abbot, about 14.5 kilometres from Widdecombe's home, and later released. That report also said that police had found no evidence the killing was terrorism-related or politically motivated at that stage.

Key claims

• Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with murder in connection with Widdecombe's death.
• Police are investigating a possible political motive, and the attack is being treated as a targeted attack.
• Widdecombe served as a Conservative member of parliament from 1987 until 2010.
• Widdecombe also served as a spokesperson for the Reform UK party.
• The killing is believed to have taken place a day before Widdecombe's body was found, according to an Al Jazeera report.
• Two serving British members of parliament have been murdered in the last decade, as noted by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Crown Prosecution Service

The CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division chief crown prosecutor Frank Ferguson said in a statement that police inquiries into Kerry's motives were ongoing, including "a potential political or terrorist connection." He added that prosecutors had worked closely with police to establish sufficient evidence to bring the case to court.

National Counterterrorism Policing

National Counterterrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor said the exact motive was still being established. "Given Widdecombe's profile and the targeted nature of the attack, determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation," Taylor said.