Oxford News
Ann Widdecombe murder probe ongoing as Yorkshire man charged
Detectives are continuing to investigate any possible political or terrorist motivation for the murder of Ms Widdecombe after a 28-year-old man was charged with the killing.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with murder, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
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He was first arrested on July 11, two days after the 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Devon.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard on Monday, head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said: “I want to make it very clear that our investigation into this individual, determining his motivations and any wider activity he may have been involved in is continuing.
“Given Ann Widdecombe’s profile and the targeted nature of the attack, determining the motivation, including any possible political motivation, remains an active avenue of investigation for our detectives.”
He said that detectives are working through more than 800 lines of inquiry, and asked for time for investigators to carry out the work.
Two days after he was arrested for murder, Kerry was additionally arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, but has not been charged with this offence.
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 inquiries into the defendant’s motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.”
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.
Ms Widdecombe read Latin at Birmingham University before studying philosophy, politics and economics at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, where she was involved in the Oxford Union.
While there she had embarked on a three-year romance, ending it in order to focus on her career.
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Otherwise she claimed to have no interest in sex, and never married.
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”.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for a serious review of MPs’ safety after she died, and Mr Taylor said officers are working with parliamentary officials to make politicians aware of protection measures that are in place.
Amid a surge in Japanese knotweed spreading rapidly across the UK, a property expert has warned that tackling the plant yourself could land you a £5k fine or imprisonment.
Jack Malnick, Managing Director of Sell House Fast, said: “Japanese knotweed is one of the UK’s most problematic weeds that can spread up to seven meters long, take up to three years to treat and can drastically reduce a property’s market value.
“Even if treated, this highly invasive plant can still deter potential buyers. It may be tempting to cut costs and remove knotweed yourself, but this could have disastrous consequences for your property value as well as impact your finances and your legal situation.”
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Mr Malnick added that homeowners should avoid DIY removal and prepare to pay up to £5k.
“It is advised not to attempt a DIY removal, due to the environmental restrictions for disposal,” he said.
“Removal costs depend on the size of the infestation, treatment method, and site access.
“The average cost of knotweed removal is between £1.5k and £2k, but a full evacuation can cost up to £20k.
“The UK average house price is currently around £270,080.
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“Estimates from Environet suggest Japanese knotweed can reduce property values by at least 5 per cent, meaning that homeowners could, at best, lose around £13,504 in value alone.
“However, with potential treatment costs of up to £10k or more for severe cases, early treatment is usually far cheaper than leaving the infestation unmanaged.
Wrong disposal could land you a £5K fine or imprisonment, as Mr Malnick added: “Improper disposal of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is not merely reckless; it is a criminal offence.
“The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.
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“Offenders may face fines of up to £5k and/or six months’ imprisonment, or on indictment, up to two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
“Government guidance says that the plant must be transported only to specially licensed landfill or incineration facilities authorised to handle hazardous invasive waste.
“Failure to do so risks not only environmental pollution but prosecution under UK law.
“If Japanese knotweed from a neighbouring property spreads onto your land, you are not liable. In fact, you may be entitled to claim damages.”
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According to a key Court of Appeal ruling, it was confirmed that landowners can be held responsible for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread.
You can also pursue compensation for loss of value and the cost of removal, and claims may still succeed even where knotweed has been present for many years.
“Start by raising the issue with your neighbour, explaining their liability and ensuring they carry out professional removal,” added Mr Malnick.
“If your neighbour is uncooperative, you can contact the council’s Japanese knotweed team or environmental services to escalate the issue.”
As of April 2028, the current mix of county, city and district councils in the county will be no more as they are replaced by three unitary authorities.
The proposals were announced by the Labour government last week and will see Oxford City Council expand to create a Greater Oxford Council, taking parishes from Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
A North Oxfordshire Council will also be created with the remainder of Cherwell, along with West Oxfordshire with Ridgeway Council taking up South Oxfordshire, the rest of Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
Despite the massive changes to local government though, two major infrastructure projects in the county are expected to proceed as planned.
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The Bicester asylum accommodation centre is unlikely to be impacted after plans were announced by the Home Office to house about 1,200 single adult men.
The project has faced strong local opposition over concerns about safety, service capacity, and community impact.
The new council will take over the site, its conditions, and the responsibility for managing its impact.
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The council will also be in charge of negotiating with the government over any expansion or extension.
Meanwhile, the success of the Universal UK resort at Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, will depend heavily on regional transport and tourism strategies.
The new councils will decide whether to pursue spin-off investment, such as hotels, attractions, and road upgrades along the Oxford-Bedford corridor, or to focus on protecting rural character.
According to Thames Valley Police, in recent months Bampton has faced issues with unruly behaviour.
Following investigations involving CCTV and reports from residents, those involved have been issued with acceptable behaviour contracts for 12 months.
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The contracts, which are signed by both the children involved and their parents, outline a set of rules to follow in public places and serve as a warning about the potential consequences of future misbehaviour.
The contracts are not criminalising but are designed to help individuals avoid peer pressure and reflect on their actions.
The forces says they offer a chance for improvement, especially for those on the brink of criminal activity.
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