Andy Burnham has requested that Parliament's official record be amended following comments he made during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, when he referred to an "individual" as being "responsible for the murder" of Ann Widdecombe.
The prime minister came under pressure to apologise for the remarks, with senior Conservative figures arguing they violated the "presumption of innocence" that underpins criminal law. The controversy centres on whether his language prejudged the outcome of an active legal case.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged in July with the murder of 78-year-old Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman. However, he has not yet entered a plea, and his trial is not scheduled to begin until next year. According to reporting on the case, prosecutors have alleged the murder had a "terrorist connection" and was politically and ideologically motivated, with a judge agreeing to hear the murder and terrorism charges together at the Old Bailey on 9 October.
A No 10 spokeswoman confirmed that a correction had been submitted to Hansard, the official parliamentary record, and would be "published in due course".
What are the legal concerns raised?
Conservative shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman raised two separate objections to Burnham's remarks. He accused the prime minister of breaching Parliament's sub judice rule, which prevents MPs from discussing pending court cases in ways that could influence their outcome. He also stated that the comments had "breached the legal presumption of innocence".
The sub judice rule operates independently of parliamentary privilege, which protects MPs' words spoken in the Commons from legal action. According to parliamentary guidance, the Commons Speaker had granted MPs a limited waiver to refer to the charges and related police handling, while warning them not to discuss case details or speculate about guilt.
Norman called on Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell, a government minister, to "correct the record, withdraw the remark and apologise on behalf of the prime minister".
How did the government respond?
Sir Alan acknowledged that Burnham had "said that he misspoke, he has apologised and he has corrected the record". He defended the prime minister's response while accepting that misspeaking in Parliament is serious.
"There is no excuse for misspeaking in the House and I am not trying to explain that away, but this prime minister is characterised by an authenticity and a passion in the way that he responds," Sir Alan said.
He added that it is not unusual for prime ministers or other MPs to misspeak in the House, and that correcting the record should be viewed in perspective.
What are the charges against Kerry?
Kerry faces two separate sets of charges. He was charged with Widdecombe's murder in July, and prosecutors have alleged the killing was connected to a broader plot. According to court proceedings, prosecutors alleged Kerry drove 265 miles from Rotherham to Widdecombe's home carrying a hammer and gloves, and struck her 21 times.
Earlier this month, Kerry was also charged with preparing acts of terror, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The prosecution has argued that the murder and terrorism charges are inextricably linked and should be heard together.
What happens next?
A plea and case management hearing is scheduled for 29 January 2027. The joint trial of the murder and terrorism charges is due to begin on 8 June 2027 and is expected to last five weeks.
Key Facts:
- Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with murdering Ann Widdecombe, 78, in July 2026
- Prosecutors allege the killing was politically and ideologically motivated with a terrorist connection
- The trial is scheduled to begin on 8 June 2027 with a plea hearing on 29 January 2027
- Burnham's remarks at PMQs were criticised for potentially breaching the sub judice rule and the presumption of innocence
- The prime minister has apologised and requested a correction to the parliamentary record
