British Prosecutors Charge Man With Planning Terrorist Attack on Nigel Farage
The new charges deepen concerns over political violence following the recent killing of another prominent British conservative figure.
British prosecutors charged a 28-year-old man on Friday with planning terrorist acts against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charge against Joshua Kerry of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Counter Terrorism Policing said the offense covers alleged activity between May 31, 2024, and July 8, 2026.
Kerry was already in custody facing a murder charge over the death of Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe was a spokesperson for Reform UK and a former Conservative government minister. Prosecutors said an attacker struck her with a hammer 21 times at her home in Dartmoor, Devon. Her gardener found her body on the morning of July 9.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Frank Ferguson said prosecutors carefully reviewed the evidence before deciding to prosecute Kerry for preparing terrorist acts. He added that prosecutors worked closely with police to confirm there was sufficient evidence to take the case to court.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing said investigators ran an intensive and complex inquiry. She said detectives, analysts and forensic experts examined multiple lines of inquiry across the national policing network.
In August, counter-terrorism detectives reopened an inquiry into an alleged firebomb attack at the home of Farage in south London. Police had initially treated the incident as an attempted burglary and closed the file without making arrests. After reopening the case, investigators identified a line of inquiry that had been overlooked earlier.
Farage said earlier this year that an attacker pushed a lit incendiary device through his letterbox. Following the new charge, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said any attack on a politician affects everyone in public life. She said the government plans to update Parliament on measures to improve security for elected officials.
Kerry spoke only to confirm basic personal details during an initial court appearance in July. He did not enter a plea at that time. Police said he is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to face the terrorism charge.
