Counter-terror police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe have reopened a probe into an attempted burglary at a London address that occurred in April 2025. The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London had previously investigated the incident but made no arrests, closing the case pending new information.
CTP London has since identified a potential line of inquiry related to the burglary that was not pursued at the time. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the conduct of a CTP London staff member accused of failing to identify and pursue this line of inquiry.
Ann Widdecombe, a former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9. Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was also arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, though he has not been charged with that specific crime.
Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that officers reopened the investigation into the 2025 incident as part of the ongoing murder investigation. "Given the nature of this matter and the significant public interest in the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death, it was of critical importance for us to provide this update," Evans said.
The IOPC confirmed it would independently investigate the conduct of the CTP London staff member. The conduct concerns an allegation of failure to identify and pursue a line of inquiry related to the April 2025 attempted burglary.
Court documents have revealed details of Widdecombe's death, stating she was allegedly bludgeoned 21 times with a hammer in a two-minute attack in her kitchen. Prosecutors described the violence as "ferocious." The 78-year-old was reportedly ambushed by an intruder, identified as Kerry, who allegedly entered her home through an unlocked front door asking about bank cards and ID while concealing a hammer. He is accused of striking her repeatedly, taking her wallet, and fleeing the scene.
Widdecombe's body was discovered the day after her death by a gardener who was sent to check on her after she missed a scheduled television interview. The gardener found the front door ajar and discovered Widdecombe unresponsive on her kitchen floor with a severe head injury. Paramedics confirmed her death at the scene.