The short version
- Counter-terrorism police have reopened an inquiry into a 2025 incident involving a device at Nigel Farage’s residence, citing a previously unpursued line of investigation.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct is independently examining the conduct of a staff member accused of failing to follow up on relevant evidence during the initial probe.
- This development occurs as Joshua Kerry faces murder charges for the death of Ann Widdecombe, with investigators exploring potential links between the two cases.
Counter-terrorism authorities in London have reopened an investigation into a security incident at the south London home of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The decision comes as part of the broader inquiry into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and prominent political figure who was found dead at her Devon residence last month. Police officials stated that they identified a line of inquiry during the current investigation that may have been relevant to the earlier incident but was not pursued by officers at the time.
The original event occurred in April 2025, when an incendiary device was pushed through the letterbox of Farage’s property. At the time, authorities described the event as an attempted burglary and noted that damage was caused to a door, though nothing was stolen. Both Counter Terrorism Policing London and the Metropolitan Police were involved in the initial response. No suspects were identified during that period, and the case was subsequently closed pending any new information.
Following the reopening of the file, Counter Terrorism Policing London made a mandatory conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The watchdog has confirmed it will independently investigate the actions of a specific staff member. The allegation centers on the claim that this individual failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry related to the attempted burglary. The police unit has been notified of the decision and stated it would fully engage with the ongoing review.
The timing of these developments is significant given the high-profile nature of the Widdecombe case. Ann Widdecombe, 78, was discovered with serious injuries at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on July 9. Her death has triggered a complex investigation involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions. The connection between the two cases remains under examination, with police not explicitly confirming whether the reopened inquiry directly links Farage’s home to Widdecombe’s murder, but rather noting it as part of the wider investigative scope.
Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old man from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, has been charged with Widdecombe’s murder. He was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11 and later detained on suspicion of acts related to terrorism, although he has not been formally charged with terrorism offenses. The inclusion of terrorism suspicions in his arrest highlights the complex nature of the investigation and the potential motives being considered by authorities.
The initial police response to Widdecombe’s death involved several arrests and releases. Devon and Cornwall Police first detained a 26-year-old man from Newton Abbot, but he was later released and removed from the investigation. This procedural shift underscores the evolving nature of the case as investigators sift through evidence and witness accounts. The reopening of the Farage incident file suggests that detectives are looking beyond the immediate circle of suspects to understand broader patterns or connections.
Vicki Evans, a senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, emphasized that the reopened inquiry is part of the ongoing investigation led by counter-terrorism policing in the south-east. She noted that officers are revisiting past incidents to ensure no relevant information was overlooked. The involvement of the police watchdog adds a layer of scrutiny to the operational decisions made during the initial response to the 2025 incident.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct stated that no further information is available at this early stage of its investigation into the staff member’s conduct. However, the decision to intervene indicates serious concerns about the thoroughness of the original probe. Victims and families involved in both investigations have been updated on these developments, with police continuing to offer support.
Ann Widdecombe had a long political career, serving as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years before holding ministerial roles in the 1990s. She later represented south-west England in the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and joined Reform UK in 2023. Her prominence in right-wing politics makes her death a significant event in the current political landscape, drawing intense media and public attention.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities are balancing the need for transparency with the operational requirements of an active murder inquiry. The reopening of the Farage case file does not confirm a direct link to Widdecombe’s killer but suggests that investigators are exploring all possible avenues. The outcome of the police conduct review may have implications for how similar incidents are handled in the future, particularly regarding the pursuit of leads in counter-terrorism contexts.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Widdecombe murder police reopen inquiry into alleged attempt to firebomb Farage home
- BBC News↗Widdecombe police reopen investigation into incident at Farage's home, BBC understands
