British police charge Joshua Kerry over alleged terrorist plans targeting Nigel Farage

British police said on October 2 that Joshua Kerry, 28, had been charged with preparing terrorist acts, including alleged acts against Nigel Farage. Kerry is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Wednesday, October 7.¹²⁴

The charge

The allegation is that he took steps to ready terrorist acts. Police and prosecutors have not provided, in the available reports, details of the acts Kerry allegedly intended to carry out against Farage or of the evidence underpinning that part of the case.¹²⁴

The Straits Times reported that the charge covered alleged conduct between May 2024 and July 2026. Deutsche Welle gave a more precise period, from May 31, 2024 to July 8, 2026. Those dates were each reported by a single source and have not been independently confirmed within the dossier.¹²

Frank Ferguson, a chief crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, said prosecutors had assessed the evidence before authorising the case. He said: “Having carefully reviewed the evidence we have made the decision to prosecute Joshua Kerry for engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts”.²

Police investigation

Vicki Evans, a deputy assistant commissioner and senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described a lengthy investigation. “We have been running a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time,” she said. Evans also said the inquiry had resulted in a serious charge.¹²

The reports do not set out what Kerry is alleged to have done in relation to Farage, how the alleged preparations were detected or whether any other people were investigated.¹²³⁴

Separate case involving Ann Widdecombe

Deutsche Welle separately reported that Kerry had also been charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe, a former MP and Reform UK spokesperson. That report says the case prosecutor alleges Kerry hit Widdecombe in the head with a hammer 21 times as she ate lunch. That account is supported by only one of the dossier’s sources.¹

Deutsche Welle also reported that Widdecombe’s death prompted responses across British politics, including demands for stronger security arrangements for lawmakers. The Guardian framed the latest development by identifying Kerry as the suspect in the Widdecombe murder case while focusing on the alleged terrorist preparations against Farage.¹³

Political context

The Straits Times described Farage as the leader of Reform UK and as an influential figure in British politics over more than a decade. It said he was often credited with bringing about the referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union.²

The same outlet reported that Reform UK had until recently led opinion polls, but that its support had declined amid allegations concerning party funding and after Andy Burnham became prime minister. This political account comes from a single source and is not necessary to establish the criminal charge against Kerry.²