The suspect in the alleged murder ofย Ann Widdecombeย had pinned newspaper clippings of Reform UK leaderย Nigel Farageย on the walls of his house, it was reported today.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was detained by police at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of the killing of the 78-year-old former Conservative MP, who was more recently a Reform UK spokesperson.
Police reportedly found a number of articles about the party and its leader Farage at his council house, where he had lived alone since the death of his father last year, during searches.
This is seemingly what prompted counter-terror officers to take over the investigation, after Devon and Cornwall Police originally said they had found no evidence Miss Widdecombe’s killing was politically motivated.
The former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Dartmoor on the morning of July 9.
Police believe she was battered to death a day earlier at around 12.30pm, just 30 minutes before she was due to appear on aย Channel 5ย programme.
Footage previously emerged of a man believed to be Kerry leaving his home just before 8am on July 8, with what appeared to be a long object sticking out of his pocket.
He did not return home until 6pm that night.
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 toldย The Sunย 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.’
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 outsideย Ms Widdecombe’s home, including a framed photo of the former MP
‘They didn’t smash the doorย 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 hisย 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.
