On Monday afternoon, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that a man has been charged with murder related to the death of Anne Widecombe, known for her role in the Brexit movement.
Joshua Kelly, 28, from Burleigh Road, Rotherham, is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday. He faces charges for the murder of Ann Widecombe, 78, who was killed at her home in Dartmoor earlier this month.
Initially, Devon and Cornwall Police indicated there was no evidence suggesting political motivations behind the alleged murder. However, this stance was later amended, and the investigation was taken over by the South East Counter Terrorism Police.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s counter-terrorism division authorized Mr. Kelly’s charges, as noted in a statement. Frank Ferguson, a lead prosecutor from the Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Branch, remarked, “After the police investigation into the death of Anne Widecombe in Haytor, Co Dartmoor, we have concluded to charge Joshua Kelly with murder.”
“Authorities are still looking into the defendant’s motivations, which may include political or terrorist connections.
“Our prosecutors have collaborated closely with law enforcement to ensure the evidence is solid enough to move forward with the case, and this cooperation will continue as the investigation evolves.
“It’s critical to remember that this case is ongoing, and the defendant is entitled to a fair trial.
“We urge everyone involved to avoid sharing or commenting on anything that could impact these proceedings negatively.”
Ms. Widecombe was well-known for her passionate advocacy of free speech and had a long career in British politics, serving as the MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010 and holding a cabinet minister position in John Major’s government.
After her parliamentary career, she transitioned to pop culture, appearing on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother, while also authoring several novels.
A strong supporter of the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 referendum to exit the European Union, she later returned to the political arena as a member of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party in the European Parliament. At the time of her death, she was a spokesperson for the recently renamed British Reform Party.
