Nigel Farage stated that an incendiary device pushed through his letterbox in April 2025 is directly linked to the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Counter-Terrorism Policing London has reopened an inquiry into the incident and referred itself to the police watchdog over its initial handling.
The reopening of a counter-terrorism investigation into an incident at Nigel Farage's home, and its alleged link to the murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe, raises significant security and political questions. The involvement of the police watchdog highlights potential procedural issues in the initial investigation.
Nigel Farage has stated that an incident at his London home in April 2025, where a lit incendiary device was pushed through his letterbox, is "directly linked" to the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) London has reopened an inquiry into the incident and referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) over its initial handling of the investigation.
Farage, the leader of Reform UK, made the announcement at a press conference, noting the unprecedented nature of the police action. He indicated that counter-terrorism police had made mistakes, prompting the referral to the IOPC. The exact nature of the link between the incident at Farage's house and Widdecombe's murder remains unclear. Police had previously stated that damage was caused to a door but nothing was stolen, and the initial investigation was closed without arrests.
However, CTP London recently identified a new line of inquiry that was not pursued at the time. The IOPC confirmed it would independently investigate allegations that a CTP London staff member failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry related to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025.
Ann Widdecombe, a 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon last month with serious injuries. Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, has since been charged with her murder. Kerry was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and later additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.