Man charged with preparing terror acts against Nigel Farage

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, was charged on 2 October 2026 with one count of preparation of terrorist acts, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, counter terrorism police said. The charge covers alleged activity between 31 May 2024 and 8 July 2026. Kerry was already charged in July with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, 78, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman.jpost.com+1

The new charge matters because it links the killing of a prominent political figure to a wider alleged terrorism case reaching back more than two years. Prosecutors say the conduct under preparation for terrorist acts includes activity against Farage, a serving member of parliament and leader of Reform UK. This is the first time a terrorism charge has been brought in connection with an alleged plot against the Reform UK leader.bbc.co.uk

What the charge covers

The Crown Prosecution Service charged Kerry with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Nigel Farage MP. The alleged activity spans from 31 May 2024 to 8 July 2026, a period of just over two years. Police did not provide further details of what the preparation involved. Kerry has been in custody since late July, after his arrest on 11 July, two days after Widdecombe's death.thejournal.ie

Kerry was charged in July with murdering Widdecombe, who was found dead on 9 July at her home in Haytor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries. Prosecutor Kashif Malik told a court that Kerry allegedly struck Widdecombe on the top of her head 21 times with a hammer while she was eating lunch, in an attack that lasted about two minutes. A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head.

The figures in this case come from court proceedings and police statements. Widdecombe was 78 when she died. Kerry drove from his home in Rotherham, some 300 miles (500 kilometres) away, according to prosecutor Kashif Malik. Kerry was arrested on 11 July. The alleged terrorism activity runs from 31 May 2024 to 8 July 2026. The charge itself was announced on 2 October 2026.

Where the numbers came from

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she knew the fresh charge would be extremely concerning and that her profound sympathies were with Farage and his family. She wrote on X that an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all, and that the case raises serious questions about the security of those in public life. She said she would update parliament on strengthening protections once it returns.

Counter Terrorism Policing's Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the charge was the result of a hugely intensive and complex investigation led by detectives, analysts and forensic experts working on multiple lines of enquiry. Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said prosecutors worked closely with police and would continue to work alongside them as the investigation continued.

A Reform UK source said the charges were exactly why Nigel needed £5m to protect his security for life. Farage, 62, is facing a parliamentary standards probe into a £5m gift from a billionaire donor before he returned as an MP in 2024, which he has said was for his personal security. The Jo Cox Foundation said no one in public life should have to fear for their safety.

What happens on 7 October

Widdecombe's death marked the third UK politician murdered in an attack this decade, after Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021. Two serving members of parliament have been killed since 2016. Reform lawmaker Richard Tice wrote on X that the charges were terrifying and explained why Farage needs money for security.

Kerry is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on 7 October 2026 over the terror charge, police said. Separately on 2 October 2026, Counter Terrorism Policing charged two Iranian men, Salam Ahmadyan, 36, and Rahman Salehi, 34, with preparing terrorist acts targeting the Jewish community in the Manchester area; they are scheduled to appear at the same court on Saturday.