Overview
- Joshua Kerry was charged on Oct. 2, 2026 with one count of preparation of terrorist acts under section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006 and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 7.
- Prosecutors say they reviewed the material and decided there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution for preparatory conduct rather than an actual attack.
- Counter Terrorism Policing described the inquiry as a hugely intensive, complex multi-line investigation that produced the charge after specialist detectives, analysts and forensic teams worked the case.
- Media reporting links the person charged to the July killing of former MP Ann Widdecombe but police stress the wider inquiry into that death is ongoing and that charging does not determine guilt.
- Section 5(1)(a) targets preparatory steps toward terrorism, which allows authorities to prosecute planning activity before any attack occurs, and the case could prompt closer scrutiny of security for public figures and further investigative work.