Tory boss Kemi Badenoch reveals chilling death threat from ‘ex-IRA’ thug who targeted her family

9 comments 9 Next KEMI Badenoch has revealed a man claiming to be a former IRA member threatened to kill her and even targeted members of her family. The Tory leader said the man recently pleaded guilty after sending a string of menacing messages. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch Credit: PA The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has also been charged with preparing acts of terror including against Reform leader Nigel Farage Credit: Reuters Advertisement She told the BBC: “He was sending messages not just to me but also to my family members. “And I just think that whether it’s Nigel Farage or even Keir Starmer, who had his home firebombed, that there is a threat to politicians that is increasing, and we just need to crack down on this.” Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Kieran Kyle admitted sending threatening emails to Mrs Badenoch after a row over a Tory social media video which mistakenly used footage of Bloody Sunday. He claimed to be ex-IRA and warned she could be left “face down in a ditch with a bullet in her head”, while also sending racist messages to her husband Hamish. READ MORE ON POLITICS PM SLAMMED PM accused of being 'in hock to trade unions' after caving in to their demands TONY PARSONS Burnham is conning the nation with his Brexit pitch…EU will NEVER take us back Kyle pleaded guilty to two counts of sending indecent or offensive communications and was warned that jail was “a real option”. He will be sentenced this month. Mrs Badenoch said politicians could not allow threats and abuse to scare them out of public life. She added: “Let’s build the prison spaces so that we can put people who are making these threats in and threatening politicians. Advertisement Most read in The Sun STAR WARS Putin threatens West with 'full space war' and warns it will down satellites DARKEST HOURS I became US's first female serial killer for doc - one scene was disturbing SEA TRAGEDY Mystery after body of woman 'in a wetsuit' found on UK beach 17hrs after search PEAK DECISION 'Missing' Ranulph Fiennes ‘wrote will on Everest after plan to divorce wife’ “But what I want the public to know is that my priority really is their safety. “MPs have often been threatened in this way, but we must not let that stop us from doing our jobs . “And we are elected to make sure that we protect national security, to look after public security, and that is my priority.” Asked how she copes with that as a “mother” as well as a “leading politician”, she said: “It’s really tough… you just have to get on with it. You know, every person who sends an abusive message, you know, they think that they’re just getting something off their chest. “But the cumulative impact puts a lot of people off politics . But I’m not going to be put off.” Advertisement Her warning comes just days after the man accused of murdering former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe was charged with preparing acts of terrorism , including against Reform leader Nigel Farage. Joshua Kerry, 28, is accused of terror-related activity between May 2024 and July this year and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He is also accused of murdering Ms Widdecombe, who died after being struck over the head with a hammer 21 times at her Devon home, a court has previously heard. RECOMMENDED STORIES Reform deputy leader Richard Tice yesterday said Mr Farage had repeatedly raised fears about his security but had sometimes “not been believed” or listened to. Advertisement 9 comments 9