Rotherham man charged with preparing acts of terrorism against Nigel Farage
Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham, has been charged with one count of preparing terrorist acts, with the alleged conduct said to include targeting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham has been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP, counter-terrorism police have said.
Joshua Kerry, of South Yorkshire, was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with one count of preparation of terrorist acts. The charge relates to activity alleged to have taken place between 31 May 2024 and 8 July this year, according to Counter Terrorism Policing.
Kerry is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The case is being handled under the specialist counter-terrorism framework, and the charge follows an investigation by counter-terrorism officers.
The allegation that the conduct included acts directed against a sitting Member of Parliament gives the case a significant political dimension. Farage leads Reform UK, a party that has reshaped the British electoral landscape in recent years and has been a frequent subject of security concerns at public events.
The charge is one of preparation of terrorist acts, an offence that allows authorities to intervene before any attack is carried out. Prosecutors must show that the defendant engaged in conduct with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, or that the conduct gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that he was doing so.
Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the charge on Friday. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge following an investigation, and the case will now proceed through the courts.
Westminster Magistrates' Court handles a range of high-profile and sensitive cases, including those involving national security. An initial hearing there typically deals with procedural matters such as bail, custody and the setting of a timetable for the case to be sent to a higher court.
The alleged timeframe spans more than a year, from late May 2024 to early July this year. Investigators have not disclosed further details about the nature of the alleged conduct or the specific targets beyond the reference to Farage.
Farage has not commented publicly on the charge. Reform UK has not issued a statement in response to the case.
The investigation and charge are likely to renew attention on the security of elected representatives in the UK. In recent years, several MPs have faced threats and harassment, prompting reviews of protective measures and policing arrangements for public figures.
Counter-terrorism cases are usually subject to strict reporting restrictions once they reach court, and further details may emerge only as the legal process advances. Kerry is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is expected to be sent to the Crown Court, where more serious terrorism offences are typically tried. No date has been set for any subsequent hearing.
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