Widdecombe police reopen investigation into incident at Farage's home, BBC understands

Counter-terrorism police investigating the killing of Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into an incident at Nigel Farage's south London home, the BBC understands.

It is understood to relate to what the Reform UK leader described as a "lit incendiary device" being pushed through his letterbox in April 2025.

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London said it was looking into an "attempted burglary" at a property as part of the Widdecombe murder investigation, but did not confirm the home was linked to Farage or why it might be connected to the killing of the former MP.

CTP London has also referred 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".

Both CTP London and the Metropolitan Police were involved in enquiries. No arrests were made and the investigation was closed.

But on Friday, CTP London said a new line of inquiry had been identified that was not "pursued by them at the time".

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had "decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received earlier [on Friday]".

A statement continued: "The conduct relates to an allegation the individual failed to identify and pursue a line of enquiry relating to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025."

CTP London said it would "full engage" with the watchdog's investigation, adding: "The victims and families in both investigations have been updated today, and we continue to support them."

Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon last month with serious injuries.

Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was later charged with her murder.

Kerry was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, before being additionally arrested on 13 July on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Widdecombe had served as Tory MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and was appointed to ministerial roles in Sir John Major's government in the 1990s.