British man charged with terrorism offenses targeting Nigel Farage and former lawmaker Anne Widdecombe

British authorities have charged a man accused of murdering former lawmaker Anne Widdecombe with planning a terror attack against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Counterterrorism police on Friday charged Joshua Kerry, 28, with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, for an activity that took place sometime between May 2024 and July 2026.

Widdecombe, a former Brexit Party MEP, Conservative minister and Reform spokesperson, died on July 9. Prosecutors said she was hit on the head with a hammer 21 times. Kerry was accused of her murder.

Britain’s head of counter-terrorism policing Vicki Evans said the force had “been running a hugely intensive and complex investigation for some time,” adding: “The charge announced today is a result of the tireless work of investigators across the counter-terrorism policing network.”

Kerry is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

In August, the counter-terrorism force reopened a year-long investigation into an alleged firebomb attack against Farage’s home.

“I know the new charges made today will be extremely concerning. My profound sympathies are with Nigel Farage and his family,” said British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. “Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all.”

A Reform official told the BBC: “This is exactly why Nigel needed £5m to protect his security for life.”

Farage is facing a parliamentary watchdog probe into a £5m gift from a billionaire donor before he became an MP in 2024, previously claiming he needed the money to ensure his security.