Man, 28, charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe
The former Conservative minister was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday 9 July after suffering serious injuries.
A 28-year-old man identified as Joshua Kerry has been charged with the murder of Ann Widdecombe, police and prosecutors have said.
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He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
He was first arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after the 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon.
On July 13, he was additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The former Conservative minister was found dead at around 11.40am on Thursday 9 July after suffering serious injuries.
Read more: Aberdeen University employee charged over social media posts celebrating Ann Widdecombe's death
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said: “We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor.
“Police enquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.
“Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses."
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said detectives were continuing to examine the circumstances around Ms Widdecombe's death including any possible political motivation, and warned the investigation remained “intensive and complex”.
He said officers had identified more than 800 lines of inquiry, adding: “We must do this right, not just quickly.”
Mr Taylor said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.
He added that if counter-terrorism officers identified any further offences, they would liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service, and said police were also working with the Speaker of the House to ensure elected officials were "aware of the protections in place" to keep them safe.
Mr Ferguson added: “We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Miss Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, and went on to become an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Tributes were paid to her by figures across the political spectrum after her death, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calling her “one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics”.