Holding a jar of chocolate eggs and smiling for the camera, this is the man held on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe.
Joshua Kerry, 28, could face terror charges and has been held by police since July 11 in connection with the killing of the veteran politician in her home.
Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor Vale, Dartmoor, on July 9. She had suffered what were described as “serious injuries” that could not easily be explained by a fall.
Devon and Cornwall Police, which started a murder investigation into the former Conservative minister’s death, initially said there was no information to suggest that it was a “politically motivated crime”.
A 26-year-old white man was the first to be arrested on suspicion of murdering Miss Widdecombe, Reform UK’s immigration and justice spokesman.
However, he was released the following morning, with the force confirming he was no longer part of the investigation.
Mr Kerry, who had worked in the administration department of a lift installation and repair firm, was arrested at his home in Rotherham, South Yorks, on the evening of July 11.
A red Vauxhall Corsa, believed to have belonged to the suspect, was also seized.
On July 13, Counter Terrorism Policing South East confirmed that it would be leading the investigation after “new information and evidence” had come to light.
The following day, Asst Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of counter terrorism policing, told reporters that the politician had been killed in a “targeted attack”.
Neighbours and relatives told The Telegraph that Mr Kerry had lived alone in the property, in the suburb of Kimberworth, following the recent death of his father, Paul Yates.
After Mr Kerry’s arrest, a relative described him as “shy” and a “quiet boy” who had “never” been remotely violent. They added that he was “just a normal lad”.
“His arrest is a massive shock for the family,” an aunt of the suspect said.
Joshua Kerry, pictured when he was younger, was described by a relative as ‘shy’ and a ‘quiet boy’
Miss Widdecombe served as a Tory MP between 1987 and 2010 and was the shadow home secretary under Lord Hague.
She defected to the Brexit Party in 2019 in protest against Britain’s failure to leave the EU, and later became a spokesman for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Alongside her lifelong Euroscepticism she was a fierce advocate for socially conservative causes, opposing abortion, assisted dying and the ordination of women priests.
Outside her political career, Miss Widdecombe appeared on Strictly Come Dancing’s 2010 series. The practising Roman Catholic was also well known for her love of animals and cared deeply about her pet cats.
Neighbours and supporters who paid tribute to Miss Widdecombe described her as an “indomitable” woman who was a “beacon of free speech”.
Police at Miss Widdecombe’s house following her death – Belinda Jiao
Days after her murder, Mr Farage and Reform UK colleagues visited Haytor Vale to lay flowers.
Speaking of how he and his colleagues had lost “a friend”, Mr Farage said: “The voters loved her. She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line and will be missed by us all.”
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Miss Widdecombe in his final Prime Minister’s Questions by saying he was “truly horrified” by her death.
Describing her as a “distinguished politician with deep convictions”, the outgoing prime minister added: “We must do more to defend our democracy.”
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, described the veteran politician as a “very fun and feisty woman”, and added that her “heart is breaking for [Miss Widdecombe’s] family”.