The man arrested on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been pictured. Joshua Kerry is suspected of killing the 78-year-old former Tory minister in her Devon Bungalow on Wednesday, July 8 in a “targeted” attack.
The 28-year-old was arrested last Saturday night at his council house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. He is being detained on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism, and suspicion of murder.
He remains in custody and can be held for questioning until Tuesday when cops can decide to apply for an extension, reports the Mirror. Counter-terrorism police have now taken control of the case following new evidence emerging.
View 4 ImagesJoshua Kerry
But a senior officer emphasised the murder and terror investigations are currently running “in parallel”. In the photo which has emerged from 2022, Kerry can be seen smiling for the camera while holding a jar of Easter eggs, while wearing glasses, jeans and a green shirt.
The Reform UK spokeswoman was killed in her home earlier this month, half an hour before she was due to appear via video call from her home on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show. A heartbreaking exchange between the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant and a TV producer shows the former minister not responding to multiple phone calls a day before the murder took place.
View 4 ImagesAnn Widdecombe
The exchange – which apparently occurred minutes after Ann emailed Express.co.uk to confirm an interview slot – captured the final ordinary moments in the life of the politician, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. Just after appearing on TalkTV earlier that day, Ms Widdecombe was coordinating a 1pm Zoom interview for the Channel 5 show.
In the exchanges, shared via X by GB News, the researcher apologises for a mix-up over a previous refusal of an appearance slot. Ann responds warmly, joking about “old age” being a terrible thing, and confirming the usual email address for materials and confirming receipt with “Received! Panic over!!” at 12.19pm — her final known message.
Minutes later, at 12.48pm, the producer messages again urging her to join the Zoom link. No reply comes. Multiple follow-up voice calls go unanswered between 12.53pm and 13.14pm.
Police believe Ms Widdecombe was attacked around 12.30pm, meaning she had just 11 minutes of life left after her last text. She was found dead in the kitchen at her Dartmoor bungalow at 11.40am the next day.
View 4 ImagesKerry’s home in Rotherham(Image: Tom Maddick / SWNS)
Ms Widdecombe was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, then served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and spokeswoman for Reform UK.
It comes as counter-terrorism police are investigating whether the suspect detained over Ann Widdecombe’s killing was driven by left-wing extremism and plotting additional violence against other prominent figures.
Detectives revealed that one line of inquiry is whether the suspect in the alleged murder was targeting Reform UK personalities will form a “line of investigation”.
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.