The man accused of murdering Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has been charged with preparing terrorist acts in an alleged plot against party leader Nigel Farage.
Joshua Kerry, 28, faces one charge relating to alleged activity between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026, Counter Terrorism Policing said.
Kerry, of Byrley Road in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is also accused of murdering Ms Widdecombe, 78, who died on 8 July after allegedly being struck over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said investigators had been conducting a “hugely intensive and complex investigation” for some time.
“The charge announced today is a result of the tireless work of investigators across the Counter Terrorism Policing network,” she said.
“This investigation has been led by a dedicated team of detectives, analysts, and forensic experts, working on multiple lines of enquiry, which has resulted in this very serious charge.”
Alleged firebomb attack at Nigel Farage’s home
The charge follows the reopening in August of a year-long investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London.
The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London had initially investigated the incident as an attempted burglary. No arrests were made before the case was closed pending new lines of inquiry.
After the investigation was reopened, Counter Terrorism Policing London identified a line of inquiry which it said “may have been relevant” but had not been “identified and pursued by them at the time”.
Mr Farage said in April that a lit incendiary device had been pushed through his letterbox early last year in what he described as an “outright arson attempt”. He was away from home and found the damage when he returned, saying the device had “luckily” burned itself out in the porch.
Police had investigated the incident but had not identified any suspects, Mr Farage said.
