UK Business Secretary Badenoch on List of Man Accused of Killing Reform UK Politician

Kemi Badenoch, the UK's Business and Trade Secretary, was reportedly named on a "reconnaissance" list compiled by the man accused of killing Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe. The list, said to contain approximately 100 Members of Parliament, was allegedly compiled by Joshua Kerry before he is accused of murdering Widdecombe in July.

Kerry, 28, is also charged with attempting to break into the home of Nigel Farage as part of an alleged terrorist plot. He is accused of researching over 100 MPs, including prominent Conservative and Reform UK politicians, as well as Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick, Lee Anderson, Richard Tice, and independent MP Rosie Duffield.

According to reports, the list was found at Kerry's home. However, investigators have stated that none of the politicians on the list are being treated as victims or witnesses in the counter-terrorism investigation, as there is no evidence to suggest any attacks were planned against them. No charges have been brought specifically related to this research list.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that Kerry allegedly spent nearly two years between May 2024 and July 2026 researching "prominent people and institutions," including details of Mr. Farage's residence. He is accused of attempting to force entry into Farage's home armed with lighter fluid in April of the previous year, in what is described as "preparation of terrorist acts."

Ann Widdecombe, 78, died on July 8, having allegedly been struck with a hammer 21 times.

Several MPs have expressed concern and criticized the police and Home Secretary for not informing them sooner that they were on the alleged list. Although Kerry's home was searched following his arrest in July, MPs were reportedly only informed this week about the inclusion of their names in the investigation.

Lee Anderson, Reform UK chairman and MP for Ashfield, told The Daily Telegraph that he found the situation "shocking" and felt that "The police have let us down, and the Home Secretary has let us down. We live in an age when it is getting worse, not better, and MPs are not feeling safe."

Last week, Kerry was charged with one count of preparation of terrorist acts concerning the alleged incident at Mr. Farage's home. He has not yet entered pleas and is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey for a pre-trial hearing.

A court artist sketch depicted Kerry, 28, appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Kemi Badenoch was reportedly on a "reconnaissance" list of around 100 MPs allegedly compiled by the man accused of killing Ms. Widdecombe.