Counter-terrorism police investigating the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into an incident at Nigel Farage’s south London home, according to the BBC.
The development centres on an incident in April 2025, when the Reform UK leader said a “lit incendiary device” had been pushed through his letterbox.
Police initially investigated the incident as an attempted burglary, but the case was eventually closed without any arrests.
A New Line of Inquiry Has Emerged
Counter Terrorism Policing London said officers had identified a new line of investigation connected to an attempted burglary that had not been pursued during the original inquiry.
The force has not confirmed that the property involved was Farage’s home or explained why the incident could be relevant to the investigation into Widdecombe’s death.
Police said at the time of the 2025 incident that a door had been damaged but that nothing was stolen.
Both the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London were involved in the original investigation.
Watchdog Investigation Launched
The latest development has also prompted scrutiny of how the earlier inquiry was handled.
Counter Terrorism Policing London has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which confirmed on Friday that it had begun an independent investigation into the conduct of a member of Counter Terrorism Policing London.
The watchdog said the investigation followed an allegation that the staff member failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry connected to the attempted burglary reported in April 2025.
The IOPC said its investigation would examine the conduct of the individual involved rather than making any determination about the wider circumstances at this stage.
Farage Incident Was Previously Closed
When the incident at the south London property was originally reported, police said there had been damage to a door but no items were taken.
Despite inquiries involving specialist counter-terrorism officers and the Metropolitan Police, nobody was arrested and the investigation was subsequently closed.
CTP London has now acknowledged that an investigative avenue was missed at the time.
The force said it would fully engage with the police watchdog’s investigation and that victims and families connected to both cases had been informed of the latest developments.
Widdecombe Died From Serious Injuries
The renewed inquiry comes as police continue investigating the killing of Ann Widdecombe.
The 78-year-old former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Devon last month after suffering serious injuries.
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, has since been charged with her murder.
Kerry was first arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July. Two days later, he was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The terrorism-related investigation has added another layer of complexity to the police inquiry into Widdecombe’s death.
Widdecombe Had a Long Political Career
Widdecombe was a prominent figure in British politics for decades.
She represented Maidstone in Kent as a Conservative MP for 23 years and held ministerial positions in Sir John Major’s government during the 1990s.
After leaving frontline Conservative politics, she remained a recognisable public figure and later became associated with Reform UK, serving as a spokeswoman for the party.
Police Have Not Explained the Link
Despite the reopening of the investigation at Farage’s home, authorities have so far provided few details about why the 2025 incident could be relevant to the Widdecombe murder inquiry.
Counter Terrorism Policing London has confirmed only that the attempted burglary forms part of a new line of investigation.
The force has not publicly established a connection between Farage, the property incident and Widdecombe’s death.
That means the significance of the reopened inquiry remains unclear while detectives and the IOPC examine the circumstances surrounding both investigations.
