Counter-terrorism officers investigating the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe have reopened a probe into a reported attempted burglary at a London address in April 2025, after concluding that a potential line of enquiry was overlooked at the time. The original case, handled by the Metropolitan Police with support from Counter Terrorism Policing London, resulted in no arrests and was subsequently closed.
According to the Telegraph, investigators have now publicly connected the reopened burglary case to the wider inquiry into Widdecombe's death, saying the earlier incident could hold significance for understanding what happened to her. The force has confirmed that the attempted break-in was reported at an address in the Greater London area, and it has acknowledged that a relevant line of enquiry "was not identified and pursued" during the original investigation.
Why has the burglary case been referred to police watchdogs?
Counter Terrorism Policing London has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concerning how officers handled the initial investigation into the reported burglary. On Friday, the force stated:
a line of enquiry had been identified that was not "pursued by them at the time"
Per the Manchester Evening News, the IOPC has since launched an independent investigation into the conduct of a specific Counter Terrorism Policing London officer following receipt of this referral.
How does this connect to the murder investigation?
The development follows a series of escalations in the case since Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on 9 July 2026. As previously reported, police initially launched a murder investigation and sought a white male suspect after she was discovered with serious injuries.
Devon and Cornwall Police, who led the case early on, had said there was no indication the killing was politically motivated. However, Counter Terrorism Policing took over the investigation after new evidence emerged, and the suspect was re-arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. According to the Telegraph, Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with Widdecombe's murder on 20 July 2026.
has reported that the interior minister told MPs that police were pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish a motive, even as the case remained under counter-terrorism leadership.
What happens next?
The IOPC investigation will examine how Counter Terrorism Policing London handled the original April 2025 burglary report and assess whether a significant line of enquiry was missed at that stage, according to the Manchester Evening News. Counter Terrorism Policing has said it will "engage fully and comprehensively" with the IOPC as the review moves forward, per the Telegraph.
This is a developing story and further details are expected to emerge as both the burglary referral and the broader murder investigation continue.
Key Facts
- An attempted burglary was reported at a London address in April 2025; no arrests were made and the case was closed.
- Counter Terrorism Policing has reopened the burglary inquiry, citing a missed line of enquiry.
- A mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC, which has opened an independent investigation into an officer's conduct.
- Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her Devon home on 9 July 2026; Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on 20 July 2026.
- Counter Terrorism Policing has pledged full cooperation with the IOPC review.
