Counter-terrorism police investigating the murder of former politician Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into a reported attempted burglary in London from April 2025, while the police watchdog launched a conduct investigation into a staff member over the initial handling of the case.
The investigation into the death of the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman has taken a new procedural turn. Counter-terrorism detectives looking into her killing are examining an incident that occurred more than a year before she died.
Reopened Investigation into an April 2025 Attempted Burglary
The Metropolitan Police had originally received a report of an attempted burglary at an address in the Greater London area in April 2025. That initial inquiry was carried out jointly by the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London. No arrests were made at the time, and the file was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.
Now, as part of the ongoing murder inquiry led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, authorities have taken another look at the file. Counter Terrorism Policing stated that officers identified a line of inquiry which may have been relevant
but was not identified and pursued by them at the time.
Senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans addressed the timing and public interest surrounding the decision. Evans stated that given the nature of the matter and the significant public interest in the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death, it was of critical importance for them to provide that update.
Independent Office for Police Conduct Inquiry
The procedural shift has triggered independent scrutiny of police actions. Counter Terrorism Policing London made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding its handling of the original 2025 investigation.
The police watchdog confirmed it is investigating allegations that a staff member failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry connected to the reported London incident.
Background on the Murder Case and Arrests
Ann Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries on July 9 inside her remote Dartmoor bungalow in Haytor, where she lived alone. Concern had been raised after she suddenly stopped responding to calls and texts. Forensic investigators deployed to the property two days later on July 11.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11. He was additionally arrested on July 13 on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. The Old Bailey previously heard that he allegedly ran into her bungalow while she was having lunch. Kerry has since been charged with her murder.
Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and held ministerial posts in Sir John Major’s government during the 1990s. She later joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and became Reform UK’s immigration spokesperson in 2023. Beyond politics, she appeared as a contestant on the eighth series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 alongside professional partner Anton Du Beke, becoming a fan favorite before her elimination in week 10. Tributes followed her death, including a moment of silence observed at the American Conservative CPAC Great Britain summit on July 16, led by Liz Truss and CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp.
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