Newspaper cuttings featuring Reform UK leader Nigel Farage were found pinned to the walls of the home of the man suspected of killing Ann Widdecombe, according to reports today.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested at his property in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of murdering the 78-year-old former Conservative MP, who had more recently served as a spokesperson for Reform UK.
During searches of his council house, where he had reportedly lived alone since his father died last year, officers are said to have discovered several articles relating to Reform UK and its leader, Farage.
The discovery is understood to have led counter-terrorism police to assume control of the inquiry, despite Devon and Cornwall Police initially stating there was no evidence that Miss Widdecombe’s death was politically motivated.
The former MP and MEP was discovered dead at her Dartmoor home on the morning of July 9.
Investigators believe she was beaten to death the previous day at around 12.30pm, roughly half an hour before she had been scheduled to appear on a Channel 5 programme.
Earlier footage appeared to show a man believed to be Kerry leaving his home shortly before 8am on July 8, with what looked like a long object protruding from his pocket.
He reportedly did not arrive back at the property until about 6pm that evening.
Ann Widdecombe, a former MEP and Tory minister, appearing on TalkTV on July 8, believed to be the day she was killed
Footage shows a group of armed officers descending on the 28-year-old’s property in Rotherham last Saturday
A source told The Sun the clippings on his walls were about Reform UK, Farage and the party’s immigration policies.
They added: ‘It would appear he had a profound dislike of the party, its leader and its policies.’
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Kerry, one of three brothers, is said to have become more reclusive since the death of his father Paul Yates last year.
Neighbours this week described him as polite, ‘quiet and shy’, saying he would take the bins out for them or hold on to parcels on their behalf.
‘While his dad was unwell, Josh would take him out shopping in his car,’ one resident said. But after his father’s death Kerry stopped working.
The family are well-known on the Kimberworth Park estate, with several relatives having served in the military.
Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, July 11 after police swooped on his home.
Courtney Foster, 25, who lives next door with partner Rayed Astle, 26, said: ‘We were in the kitchen and just saw the officers running up. Some were armed. Then they banged on the door very loudly.
Floral tributes outside Ms Widdecombe’s home, including a framed photo of the former MP
‘They didn’t smash the door down because he opened it. They asked him his name, he confirmed it and they took him away.’
Kerry was later re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Describing him, Mr Astle said that he had barely spoken to anyone since his father, who he had moved in with around a year ago, died last December.
‘He was someone you’d have a conversation with but that changed after his dad died. He became very quiet. He kept himself to himself and wouldn’t really speak to anyone,’ he added.
Relatives previously expressed shock at his arrest, with his uncle saying he was left ‘absolutely flabbergasted’.
He said he was in ‘total shock’ – but added that his nephew had ‘spiralled’ after the death of his father from cancer.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously told the House of Commons that the arrested suspect was not known to Prevent, the UK’s anti-extremism programme.
