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Joshua Kerry, 28, already accused of murdering former politician Ann Widdecombe, faces a new charge of preparing terrorist acts against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Deputy Richard Tice said Farage's past complaints about safety threats were not taken seriously.
LONDON - A man accused of killing former British politician Ann Widdecombe has been charged with plotting a terror attack against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Terrorism Charge Against Nigel Farage
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, including against Farage, the Crown Prosecution Service said Friday. The new charge was announced Saturday, and Farage's deputy said the Reform UK leader had been ignored when he complained of threats to his safety. Richard Tice said Farage had discussed the risks to his security many times over the years and the charge amounts to a wake-up call.
Tice told the BBC that what is particularly upsetting for those in and around Farage is that sometimes he is not being believed and not being listened to. He said the party had held a series of high-level meetings with the government about security. Tice added that authorities had shifted their approach to treat threats more seriously.
The charge against Kerry did not include additional details from authorities, but counterterrorism police in August said they had reopened a probe into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage's south London home. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed sympathy for Farage and his family. She said on X that she knows the new charges made today will be extremely concerning. She added that an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all.
Mahmood said she would work to strengthen protections for politicians after Parliament returns from recess on Oct. 12. Kerry is due to appear Wednesday in Westminster Magistrates' Court on the new charge. He was previously charged with murder in the July 8 beating death of Widdecombe. Widdecombe, 78, was found dead in her house in an isolated southwest England village.
Ann Widdecombe's Political Legacy
She was a spokesperson for the Reform Party after a long career as a Conservative member of Parliament and government minister. She was known for her blunt-spoken, socially conservative views opposing abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights. Widdecombe later found fame as a contestant on the reality television shows Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother and returned to politics.
Her killing renewed concerns over the security for politicians, which had been tightened in the past decade after the murders of two prominent MPs. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist. Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group. The latest charge against Kerry has again focused attention on the safety of elected officials and party leaders.
Farage, who leads the anti-immigration Reform UK party, has been a prominent figure in British politics. Tice said the charge shows the seriousness of the threats faced by those in public life. He said Farage had raised concerns repeatedly before the charge was announced. The Crown Prosecution Service did not release additional information about the charge.
Terrorism Probe and Political Security
Counterterrorism police have not provided further details about the August probe into the alleged firebomb attack at Farage's home. Kerry is set to appear in court Wednesday to face the new terrorism charge. The case combines two major investigations, one into Widdecombe's death and another into the alleged plot against Farage. The Associated Press reported that Brian Melley contributed to the story.
British authorities have not said whether the two cases are directly linked beyond the charges against Kerry. Security for politicians has been a growing concern in Britain since the murders of Cox and Amess. The government has faced calls to do more to protect those in public office. Mahmood said she would act after Parliament returns from recess on Oct. 12.
Tice said the party had been in high-level talks with the government about security. He said the approach had changed to treat threats more seriously. Farage has not publicly commented on the new charge. The case is expected to proceed in the courts in the coming days.
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CP24:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Nigel Farage Joshua Kerry Ann Widdecombe Reform UK UK Terrorism Charge
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