Police investigating Ann Widdecombe murder reopen attempted burglary case from 2025

Watchdog examines handling of an incident last year that was treated as an attempted burglary

Counter-terrorism police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into an incident last year, in which Nigel Farage’s home was allegedly firebombed.

During the incident in April 2025, a lit incendiary device was pushed through the Reform UK leader’s letterbox, according to reports.

Police did not identify any suspects during their investigation of the incident at the time, which was treated as an attempted burglary, and so the investigation was closed, pending any new lines of inquiry.

Since the case was reopened, CTP London said it had identified a line of inquiry “which may have been relevant” but was “not identified and pursued by [counter-terrorism police] at the time”.

The police watchdog said it was now investigating the conduct of a CTP London staff member over allegations that they “failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry”.

Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said: “As part of the ongoing investigation led by counter-terrorism policing south-east into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have reopened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year.”

CTP London made a “mandatory conduct referral” to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on Friday.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a counter-terrorism policing London staff member following a referral received earlier today.

“The conduct relates to an allegation the individual failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry relating to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025. Counter-terrorism policing London has been notified of our decision, and no further information is available at this early stage.”

Widdecombe, 78, a Reform UK spokesperson and former Conservative minister, was found dead on 9 July at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries.

Last month, a 28-year-old man was charged with the former MP’s murder. Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July.

He was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism but has not been charged with this offence.

Devon and Cornwall police initially arrested a 26-year-old man from Newton Abbot in Devon, but later released him and said he was no longer part of the investigation.

Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone, Kent, for 23 years. She subsequently represented south-west England as a member of the European parliament for the Brexit party and in 2023 joined Reform UK .