Counter Terrorism Policing has reopened an investigation into an April 2025 incident at a London address where Nigel Farage was residing, checking whether the man charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe had any involvement.
Police say they are examining forensic material, including fingerprints and video from local CCTV and doorbell cameras, after identifying a possible link to Joshua Kerry, the 28-year-old from Rotherham who has been charged with the killing of the former Conservative and Reform UK politician. Widdecombe, aged 78, was found dead at her Devon home in July following an inquiry led by counter-terrorism officers.
What investigators are reviewing
Detectives have re-examined the London scene to determine whether an accelerant such as lighter fluid was used and are analysing recorded footage to establish movements around the property. Initial records from the Metropolitan Police describe the April 2025 report principally as an attempted burglary; other sources characterised the event as an attempted arson.
A formal statement from Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the reopening of enquiries and said mistakes in the initial handling of the incident had prompted a conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The force said it had identified a line of inquiry that "was not identified and pursued" at the time and has sought a review of its earlier support to the Metropolitan Police.
"As part of the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have reopened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year."
The review was triggered as detectives pursuing the Widdecombe murder examined potential connections to the London incident. Officers are understood to be checking devices and public cameras for evidence and comparing latent prints recovered from the scene with those linked to the suspect.
- Suspect: Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham — charged with murder.
- Victim: Ann Widdecombe, 78 — killed at her Devon home in July.
- Reopened incident: April 2025 attempted burglary/attempted arson at a London address where Nigel Farage was living.
The Metropolitan Police initially recorded the April episode as an attempted burglary and closed the file pending new lines of enquiry. No arrests were made at the time. Counter Terrorism Policing London later identified what it now says may have been a relevant line of enquiry that was missed, prompting the mandatory referral to the IOPC to review conduct.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | Report of attempted burglary at a Greater London address where Nigel Farage lived; investigation initially closed. |
| July | Ann Widdecombe found dead at her Devon home; subsequent murder investigation led by counter-terror police. |
| Present | Reopened London inquiry; forensic and CCTV evidence being re-examined; IOPC referral made. |
While officers have been clear that the initial Metropolitan investigation recorded the matter primarily as a burglary, other sources have described attempts to set fire at the property. The renewed enquiries will test whether those descriptions and any forensic traces align with the suspect now charged in the Widdecombe case.
The involvement of counter-terror units and the decision to refer earlier conduct to the IOPC underline the seriousness with which police are treating both the murder and the possible link to the London incident. Detectives have not commented on operational lines beyond confirming the forensic and video checks.
The developments mean that investigators are pursuing parallel strands: continuing the murder inquiry in Devon and re-examining the April report in London to establish whether it forms part of a wider pattern of offending by the charged individual. The IOPC referral will examine the adequacy of earlier police support and whether opportunities to pursue relevant enquiries were missed.
