BREAKING NEW: TalkTV halts for major Ann Widdecombe update after arrest
The late p0litician d!ed in her Dartmoor home on July 9.
TalkTV came to a standstill as they issued an urgent Ann Widdecombe update (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
TalkTV ground to a halt minutes into their evening show to issue the latest update in the investigation into the de@th of Ann Widdecombe. The Reform UK politician was found dead in her Devon home on July 9, sparking a nationwide manhunt for her suspected k!ller. Police determined that the 78-year-old politician d!ed 24 hours earlier on July 8 after suffering serious injuries.
On July 11, officers announced that a 28-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Now, assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor has issued a fresh update on the case after they announced that the man, Joshua Kerry, has been charged with her murd3r.
On Monday (July 20), host Kevin O’Sullivan announced that charges have been issued to Ms Widdecombe’s alleged k!ller. He began: “Welcome back, and here’s some breaking news. A man has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
“Police said that Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, has now been charged with Ms Widdecombe’s murder.” The broadcaster they shared a clip of the police commissioner as he revealed officers are exploring 800 lines of enquiry into her de@th. He announced: “This has been and remains a particularly intensive and complex investigation.
“Over the last week, our teams have gathered a huge amount of information, leading to 800 lines of enquiries. Each of those needs to be assessed carefully and thoroughly, and I ask that we be given the time to do that.” After the clip aired, Kevin explained that details of the case would be limited while “the justice system takes its course.”
It comes after the police were granted another seven days to question their prime suspect. This is essential in counter-terrorism cases because so many different potential strands of the investigation will need to be explored.
Joshua Kerry has been named as the man accused of Ann Widdecombe’s murder (Image: X)
Concerns about Widdecombe’s welfare were first raised when she failed to appear on Matt Allwright’s show on July 8. ITV News reported Widdecombe had spoken to a researcher on the Channel 5 show on the same day to set up an interview, with the pair exchanging messages just after 12pm.
Her last message was received at 12.19pm on July 8. The researcher messaged again at 12:48p.m., requesting that she join the Zoom link in preparation for the interview, but Widdecombe did not reply. Subsequent voice calls and messages went unanswered.
Her body was found “covered in blood” nearly 24 hours later. Kerry was originally detained on suspicion of murder on July 11 before being re-arrested two days later on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
