UK police reopen burglary case linked to Widdecombe murder probe

Key facts

• British counterterrorism police reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary reported last year.
• The reopened investigation is part of the probe into the murder of former government minister Ann Widdecombe.
• Ann Widdecombe was found dead on July 9 after being attacked the day before.
• Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on July 20.
• Police are continuing to investigate the motive for the murder.

British counterterrorism police announced Friday they have reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary that occurred last year in London. This reopened probe is now part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former government minister and prominent figure in Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in southwest England on July 9, following an attack the previous day. British prosecutors subsequently charged 28-year-old Joshua Kerry with her murder on July 20. Police have stated that their investigation into the motive, including any potential political reasons, is still active.

The Metropolitan Police had initially received a report of the attempted burglary in the Greater London area in April 2025. Enquiries were conducted with support from Counter Terrorism Policing London, but no arrests were made, and the case was closed. Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, stated that the reopened investigation has identified a line of inquiry that was not pursued at the time and may be relevant to the murder probe. The specific connection between the attempted burglary and Widdecombe's murder has not yet been disclosed by the police.