Famed UK pro-life politician murdered in horrific attack at her home

Ann Widdecombe, a British politician and pro-life advocate, was brutally murdered in her home in early July, in what authorities believe was a targeted attack.

Key Takeaways:

• Widdecombe was a Member of Parliament (MP) for 23 years, and then served as the Brexit Party's Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for one year. She was also a member of the Reform Party UK.

• She was a notable pro-life advocate, and was a member of the Society for the Protection for Unborn Children (SPUC), as well as a patron of Right to Life UK.

• Widdecombe was found dead at her home on July 9, the victim of a brutal homicide. She was 78.

• 28-year-old Joshua Kerry has been arrested for her murder, which authorities say was a targeted attack.

The Details:

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that 28-year-old Joshua Kerry was arrested and charged with Widdecombe's murder this week. Kerry is alleged to have murdered Widdecombe in early July in a particularly brutal crime that is being called an assassination.

According to court testimony, Widdecombe recorded the last interview of her life just moments before the attack. Widdecombe concluded her interview at 12:10pm, and then missed a scheduled Zoom interview at 1:00pm. When she did not reply to any messages, her assistant asked her gardener to check on her.

CCTV footage, meanwhile, showed Kerry leaving his home in Rotherham shortly before 8:00am, according to The Sun, which obtained the footage. Someone believed to be Kerry is seen in the footage entering a red hatchback sedan with a baton or hammer-like object protruding from his pocket. Ring doorbell footage saw the car arrive at Widdecombe's home between 12:25pm and 12:30pm.

Police believe Kerry drove 267 miles from his home to Widdecombe's, and that she was killed at approximately 12:30pm. A hallway camera revealed Widdecombe sitting down to eat lunch, before Kerry walked into her front door and asked, “Don’t suppose you have bank cards and ID?”

Widdecombe's murder was horrific; she was struck in the face 21 times with what is believe to be a hammer. A motive has not yet been revealed by authorities, though some sources claim it may have been political. Widdecombe was most recently a member of the Reform Party UK; its leader Nigel Farage said the attack was premeditated.

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A report from The Blaze notes:

After caving in the Christian politician's skull, the assassin pushed his victim out of her chair and onto the floor, stole her wallet, then fled the scene...

Kerry was arrested on July 10 on suspicion of murder in what was initially figured for a burglary gone wrong. He was cut loose the next day only to be rearrested hours later at his home in Rotherham, this time by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police on suspicion of murder and the "commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism."

Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, subsequently acknowledged that the investigation had turned up "new information and evidence" pointing to the murder having been a "targeted attack."

A source told the Sun (U.K.) that in their search of Kerry's house, they found clippings of news articles about Reform U.K., its leader Nigel Farage, and the party's immigration policies.

"It would appear he had a profound dislike of the party, its leader, and its policies," said the source.

Zoom In:

Widdecombe was known as an ardent pro-life advocate and was a patron of Right to Life UK, as well as member of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). She was lauded as a "hero" of the pro-life movement in her obituary.

She voted consistently in favor of protection for preborn children, and more recently, against assisted suicide.

Chris Whitehouse, a Right To Life UK Trustee, said of Widdecombe:

“For 40 years, Ann was to me a personal and family friend, a political mentor and a remarkable heroine of the pro-life cause. To have known her was a pleasure and a privilege, if sometimes a challenge. She was unflinching in her politics, constant in her friendships and steadfast in her defence of the principle of the right to life, both for the unborn and for those approaching the end of their lives.

May the choirs of angels come to greet her, may they speed her to paradise, may the Lord enfold her in His mercy, and may she find eternal life and rest after a lifetime of pro-life endeavour."

Lord Alton, another colleague of Widdecombe's, said he was sorry to hear about her death:

“Ann’s forthright views – whether you agreed with her or not – were always trenchantly, intelligently, and honestly expressed – and never with malice. Beyond the well-known public figure, there was also a less well-known private person, capable of great kindness in responding to people facing personal challenges and tragedy.

As they will attest, she was never a fair-weather friend. At a time when the national debate needs respectful disagreement and intelligent debate, Ann’s voice will be missed. I will not be alone in mourning her passing."

The Bottom Line:

Kerry currently faces one count of murder in connection with Widdecombe's death, and authorities are still attempting to pinpoint a motive.