Murder suspect charged with plotting terror attack against Farage

Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts relating to alleged activity between May 31, 2024, and July 8, 2026, according to Counter Terrorism Policing. The charge includes planning terror acts against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Kerry was previously charged in July with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, 78, a former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokeswoman, who was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon on July 9 after being struck 21 times with a hammer.

The terror charge follows Counter Terrorism Policing's reopening in August of an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage's south London home in 2025. Police had initially investigated the incident as an attempted burglary and closed the case without arrests, but identified a new line of inquiry upon reopening. Farage told the Daily Telegraph in April that an incendiary device was pushed through his letterbox, which he described as an "outright arson attempt." He was away from home at the time and discovered the damage upon return.

Richard Tice, Farage's deputy at Reform UK, criticized the handling of the party leader's security concerns. "What's particularly upsetting for those of us in and around him is sometimes he's not being believed, not being listened to," Tice told the BBC on Saturday. He stated that Farage had discussed security risks many times over the years and that the charge amounts to a wake-up call for authorities.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed concern about the charges and Farage's safety. "I know the new charges made today will be extremely concerning," she said on X, adding that "an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all." Mahmood committed to strengthening protections for politicians when Parliament reconvenes on October 12. The charges come amid heightened concerns over politician safety in Britain; Widdecombe was the third British lawmaker killed in recent years, following Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021.

Kerry is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, October 7, on the terror charge. The Crown Prosecution Service and Counter Terrorism Policing have described the investigation as "hugely intensive and complex," involving dedicated teams of detectives, analysts, and forensic experts working on multiple lines of inquiry.