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UK police reopen attempted burglary case as part of Widdecombe murder probe

By Thomson Reuters Aug 7, 2026 | 5:01 PM

Aug 7 (Reuters) – British counterterrorism police said on Friday they reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary reported last ​year in London as part ‌of their probe into the murder of former government minister Ann Widdecombe.

The Metropolitan Police in April 2025 received a report of an attempted burglary at ‌a ​Greater London area address. ⁠The Metropolitan Police carried ⁠out enquiries with support from Counter Terrorism Policing London but no arrests were made and the probe was then closed.

“Following ​the re-opening of the attempted burglary investigation, Counter Terrorism Policing London identified ⁠a line of enquiry ⁠which was not identified and pursued ​by them at the time, which may ​have been relevant,” said Vicki Evans, senior ‌national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

The police did not provide further details on how the two cases may have been ⁠connected.

Widdecombe, 78, a prominent figure in Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, was found dead at her ⁠home in ‌rural southwest England on July ⁠9 after being attacked the ​day ‌before.

British prosecutors on July 20 charged ​Joshua Kerry, ⁠28, with the murder. Police have said their investigation into the motive, including any possible political motivation, remains ongoing.

(Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo in Mexico City; Editing by ​Matthew Lewis)