Man charged with Ann Widdecombe murder remanded in custody after Old Bailey appearance

Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and most recently a spokeswoman for Reform UK, was found by an employee carrying out a welfare check when she was uncontactable.

Joshua Kerry, aged 28, from Rotherham, who has been charged with her murder, was remanded in custody after appearing before Westminster Magistrates and then Old Bailey later this afternoon.

The former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon on 9 July after sustaining serious injuries. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard she had been hit over the head with a hammer 21 times.

Earlier today, an inquest that was opened into her death at Exeter Coroner’s Court was told that the precise cause of her death had not been established. The court heard that an employee found her after carrying out a welfare check when she was uncontactable.

Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said a post-mortem had been carried out. “At this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established,” he added, going on to adjourn the inquest until criminal proceedings are concluded.

Widdecombe was found unresponsive in her home by an employee who carried out a welfare check due to her being “uncontactable”, the hearing heard. Emergency services were called, but she was pronounced dead at 12:20 BST on Thursday, 9 July.

Kerry was first arrested on suspicion of murder two days later. He was later re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, supported by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Kerry will appear again at Old Bailey on 9 October for a case management hearing. There will be a further hearing on 20 November with a provisional trial date set for 8 June next year.

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