Inquest into Ann Widdecombe death opens; Kerry in court
An inquest into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe opened, and Joshua Kerry, charged with her murder, appeared in court where the prosecution alleged he struck her 21 times with a hammer.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The death of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe, initially announced on Friday 9 July, quickly became a murder investigation that has gripped the country. The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, on Thursday 8 July after suffering serious injuries. Police were called by the ambulance service at around 11.40am. The following day, Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder inquiry.
A 26-year-old man from the local area was arrested on Friday evening but was released without charge on Saturday morning, no longer part of the investigation. The focus then shifted to Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on Saturday night on suspicion of murder. He was later re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism after new information and evidence came to light. Counter-terrorism police took over the investigation, though they stressed there was no information to suggest a wider threat to the public and that the attack was not being treated as terrorism at that stage.
On Tuesday 20 July, Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and the Old Bailey charged with murder. Prosecutors said he drove 265 miles to Miss Widdecombe's home and, while she was eating lunch, struck her 21 times on the head with a hammer. The attack was captured on her own security cameras. He was in the house for only two minutes and took her wallet. A provisional cause of death was given as blunt force injury to the head. Kerry was remanded in custody, with a trial expected in June next year. The inquest into her death was opened and adjourned.
The killing has reignited debate about the safety of politicians, with the Home Secretary offering Reform UK leader Nigel Farage a meeting with the security committee RAVEC. Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with many recalling her forthright style, her career as a Conservative MP and minister, her later role as a Brexit Party MEP and Reform UK spokesperson, and her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widely reported · 6 or more of 8 channels | ||||||||
| A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was re-arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. | Reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||
| A murder investigation was launched and a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. | Reported by BBC Two | |||||||
| Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation. | Reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | |||
| Anne Widdicombe died at the age of 78. | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | |||||
| Police believe the attack occurred on Wednesday 8 July, the day before her body was found. | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||||
| Police said it was a targeted attack. | Not reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| The incident was not being treated as terrorism and there was no indication it was politically motivated. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News | ||||
| Reported by a few · 2–5 channels | ||||||||
| Kerry is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 21 July 2026. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Reported by Sky News | ||
| Nigel Farage accepted the Home Secretary's offer of a meeting with RAVEC. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News | |||
| The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charge, with Chief Crown Prosecutor Frank Ferguson making the statement. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||
| The Home Secretary offered Nigel Farage a meeting with the chair of RAVEC. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News |
| Anne Widdicombe was due to appear on Channel 5 on Wednesday but did not show up. | Reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Nigel Farage paid tribute to Anne Widdicombe, stating she played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||
| Police are appealing for information from the public. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News | |
| The suspect was released without charge. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News |
| A man was arrested in South London on suspicion of sending threatening communications to Nigel Farage, and was bailed pending further inquiries. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| An inquest into Ann Widdecombe's death has been opened but the cause has not yet been established. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Andy Burnham called for a serious review of MP security after the death of Ann Widdecombe. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| Ann Widdecombe's family announced a public memorial will be held later this year. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Police are not looking for any other suspects following the arrest. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Police are searching for a white male suspect and say there is no risk to the public. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| The CPS stated that inquiries into motives are ongoing, including a possible political or terrorist connection. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| Only on one channel | ||||||||
| A memorial service was held at her local church, with Reform party leaders attending. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Anne Widdicombe was active in politics until her death and appeared on television on Wednesday. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| CCTV footage showed police arriving at the suspect's address in Rotherham. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | |
| Keir Starmer said Britain must do more to defend democracy following the murder of Ann Widdecombe. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Nigel Farage declined taxpayer-funded security, and a claim that Reform MPs receive no state protection was reported as false. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Police received 120 reports from the public through a dedicated portal. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News |
| Prosecutors said Kerry was in the house for about two minutes. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Providing security for all MPs would cost an estimated £300-400 million a year. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said he had pressed his panic button in December due to a security incident. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Several newspapers reported CCTV showing a man putting a wooden stick into a red car on the morning of the attack. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The attack was captured on a camera in the kitchen. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| The Home Secretary will review security guidance for MPs and former MPs. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| The provisional cause of death was blunt force injury to the head. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The victim had sustained serious injuries. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on breaking the initial death announcement and then providing regular updates as the story developed. Their coverage was factual and chronological, emphasising the police investigation timeline and the shift to counter-terrorism. They also included political reaction and the court details.
- “We've learned in the last few minutes that Anne Widdicombe, the former MP and MEP, has died at the age of 78.”
- “A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Joshua Kerry from Rotherham in South Yorkshire is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow.”
Sky News provided extensive live coverage, including press conferences and updates from correspondents. They highlighted the fast pace of the investigation, the release of the first suspect, and the arrest in South Yorkshire. They also focused on the political fallout and security concerns for MPs.
- “A 26-year-old man arrested as part of a murder investigation of Anne Widdicombe is released from custody.”
- “Police say a 28-year-old white British man has been arrested in South Yorkshire.”
Channel 5 (5 News) had a personal connection as Ann Widdecombe was a regular contributor. Their coverage emphasised the shock in the community and the fact that she had missed a scheduled appearance on their programme. They also provided detailed court reporting, including the 21 hammer blows.
- “She was a tough right-winger who loved animals and hated fox hunting. She was a gem.”
- “Prosecutors say she was hit over the head 21 times with a hammer as she sat and ate lunch in her kitchen.”
BBC One West provided localised coverage, focusing on the community impact in Devon and the police presence. They included interviews with neighbours and local politicians, and emphasised the rural setting and the shock in the area.
- “I'm devastated, I'm shocked and I just can't believe it. In this lovely setting where we live, it's so peaceful and I am just absolutely devastated.”
- “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.”
ITV News provided comprehensive coverage with a focus on the legal proceedings and the political reaction. They highlighted the arrest in Rotherham, the counter-terrorism involvement, and the Home Secretary's statement. They also included tributes from colleagues and the inquest details.
- “We can confirm that a 26-year-old man was arrested at an address in Newton Abbott this afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Anne Widdecombe.”
- “Prosecutors said she had been hit on the head 21 times with a hammer while she was eating her lunch at her home on Dartmoor.”
Channel 4 News focused on the investigative twists, including the initial police statements that it was not politically motivated and the later reversal. They also covered the security debate in Parliament and the exclusive report on former IRGC members in the UK, though that was a separate story. Their tone was analytical and questioning of police handling.
- “Police say the former MP, Anne Widdecombe, was attacked 24 hours before she was found dead at home as they released the 26-year-old man arrested yesterday without charge.”
- “Counterterror police take over the investigation into Anne Widdicombe's death. As the Home Secretary says, it is a dark day for politics.”
BBC Two's Newsnight provided in-depth analysis and interviews, focusing on her political career and the 'something of the night' moment. They discussed the changing nature of MP security and the shock among colleagues. Their coverage was reflective and retrospective.
- “Anne Widdecombe, the kind of career we'll probably never see in British politics ever again.”
- “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.”
GB News focused on the political implications, criticising the police for initially ruling out a political motive and then reversing. They highlighted the security concerns for Reform UK and Nigel Farage, and featured panel discussions on the dangers of left-wing extremism. Their tone was more opinionated and partisan.
- “Police under fire over Widdecombe terror probe. Officers changed course after insisting for days that former MPs killing had not been politically motivated.”
- “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.