Man charged with murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe appears in court

A 28-year-old British man appeared in court Tuesday charged with the murder of former Conservative government minister Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on July 8 following a 12-day investigation.

Joshua Kerry of Rotherham in South Yorkshire appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning. During the brief hearing, Kerry, dressed in a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that Widdecombe, 78, was attacked in her kitchen while eating lunch. According to prosecutors, Kerry arrived at her house in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Security camera footage from the property captured the attack, the court heard. Malik said Kerry, wearing black gloves, hit Widdecombe on the head with a hammer 21 times, tipped her from her chair and took her wallet before driving off. The entire incident lasted approximately two minutes, prosecutors stated.

The preliminary cause of death was given as blunt force trauma to the head. Kerry was later remanded in custody following an appearance at the Old Bailey.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation was "particularly intensive and complex" and remained ongoing. Authorities said they were investigating whether there was a political motive behind the killing but stated they were not looking for any other suspects in the case.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said in a statement: "I know there has been significant interest in this case -- and rightly so. I want to make it very clear that our investigation into this individual, determining his motivations and any wider activity he may have been involved in is continuing."

Widdecombe, a prominent figure in British right-wing politics, served as a Conservative government minister and was a spokesperson for Reform UK.