Britain08 August, 20263 min read
Counter Terrorism Policing Reopens Probe Into Attempted Burglary at Nigel Farage’s London Home
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Counter-terrorism police reopen April 2025 firebombing probe at Nigel Farage's south London home. The incident involved a lit incendiary device purportedly posted through Farage's letterbox.
Probe Reopened in London
Counter-terror police investigating the death of former MP and Reform spokesperson Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into a report of an attempted burglary at a London address in April last year, with Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) saying it identified a line of inquiry that was “not pursued by them at the time.” The London Evening Standard reported that the Telegraph described the incident as a “lit incendiary device” being posted through Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s letterbox at an address in south London, which was reported in April 2025 and closed without arrests. The BBC said CTP London was looking into an “attempted burglary” at a property as part of the Widdecombe murder investigation, while also referring itself to the police watchdog over how the initial investigation into the Farage incident was handled.
Police said at the time that “damage was caused to a door but nothing was stolen,” and the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry. Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Devon last month, and Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on 20 July, as the reopened probe into the Farage-linked incident moved forward.
IOPC to Review Conduct
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member after CTP London made a mandatory referral over its handling of the initial investigation. The i Paper quoted an IOPC spokesperson saying: “We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received earlier today.” The Independent reported that Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said police forces had not been taking threats against his party’s figures seriously, telling The Telegraph: “Only recently have the authorities woken up to the abuse and intimidation I and other Reform MPs have had.”
Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for counter terrorism policing, said CTP London had reopened the incident as part of the ongoing investigation into Widdecombe’s murder and that “No arrests were made, and the investigation was subsequently closed, pending any new lines of enquiry.” The BBC said CTP London did not confirm whether the Farage home was linked to the killing of the former MP or why it might be connected, even as it said a new line of inquiry had been identified.
Security, Court Dates, and Fallout
The reopened inquiry is tied to what Nigel Farage told The Telegraph in April 2025, describing an “outright arson attempt” after a “lit incendiary device” was pushed through his letterbox when he was not at home. Farage said: “Luckily it had burned itself out in the porch,” and the Telegraph reported that police investigated the attack but no suspects were identified and the investigation was closed pending any new lines of inquiry. Widdecombe died after sustaining serious injuries at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, and Westminster magistrates’ court heard she was struck 21 times on the head with a hammer.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on 20 July and was remanded in custody, with an administrative hearing listed for 9 October and a further plea and trial preparation hearing on 20 November. The i Paper said a provisional trial date has been set for June 2027, while Reform UK MPs were given round-the-clock security protection paid for by the party after Widdecombe’s death over fears of similar attacks.