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Police Reopen Farage Arson Probe While Examining Link to Widdecombe Murder

The reopening has prompted a self‑referral to the police watchdog and raises questions about past handling of threats to public figures.

Overview

  • Counter‑terrorism detectives reopened an April 2025 inquiry into a 'lit incendiary device' pushed through the letterbox of a Greater London property owned by Nigel Farage on Friday and are now examining whether the case connects to the suspect in the Widdecombe killing.
  • Joshua Kerry, 28, remains charged with the July murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe and was earlier held under terrorism powers while investigators ran parallel murder and terrorism lines of enquiry.
  • Counter Terrorism Policing London has referred its original handling of the 2025 Farage incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after identifying a line of inquiry it says was not pursued at the time.
  • Police say they have updated victims and families, are continuing forensic and digital enquiries, and have urged the public and media not to speculate while investigations into motive and links continue.
  • Nigel Farage has said police 'made some mistakes' but expressed confidence in the current counter‑terrorism response and the reopened probe has intensified scrutiny of protection for serving and former politicians and possible institutional failings.