British prosecutors charge man with murdering former politician Ann Widdecombe

By AP 20 July 2026, 9:34 pm

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Ann Widdecombe, Brexit Party member, is interviewed by Nigel Farage on stage in London, on November 22, 2019. (AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth)

LONDON — British prosecutors charge a 28-year-old man with murder in the death of former politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe.

Joshua Kerry has been charged after being held more than a week by police who continue to look into whether the killing had a political or terrorist connection, prosecutors say.

The death of Widdecombe, 78, a former member of parliament, shocked the British political world, where Widdecombe was a prominent voice for decades. She was a blunt-speaking character known for socially conservative views opposing both abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights.

Police say they believe Widdecombe was attacked July 8. She failed to appear that afternoon for a scheduled TV interview and was found dead the next day in her isolated rural home in a southwest England village.