Media criticism from Reform UK’s Nigel Farage:
The details of Ann Widdecombe’s murder revealed in court are horrific.
Why will no one report on Joshua Kerry’s political views?
The faux-bewilderment is meant to imply a conspiracy to suppress the truth, apparently including media outlets that already pushed the boundaries during the early stages of a live police investigation: in particular, the Daily Mail published (anonymised) claims that the suspect had “communist” literature in his home, while The Sun followed up a few days later with claims that he had “news clippings of Farage pinned to the walls”.
The notion of some ideological agenda overriding journalistic instincts here is implausible – we can be sure that media would be very happy to feed a public appetite for in-depth background pieces on Kerry should he suddenly drop dead, but while he is a suspect journalists must remain mindful of well-known laws about contempt of court and due process. If Farage is of the view that the law should be changed to allow “open season” on suspects ahead on trial, then he ought to say so clearly – although it seems more likely that he simply wants to rile up some resentment. I looked at previous complaints by Farage and others last week.
Meanwhile, Farage’s deputy Richard Tice has followed up with a related complaint:
Was Joshua Kerry a member of the Labour Party? Or the Green Party?
They should both be transparent and confirm or deny.
How many pictures are there of him at different protests?
Who else if anyone was he pictured with frequently?
We deserve to know the answers, immediately… These answers in no way prejudice a trail. It is simply a matter of our safety.
The Sun published pixelated doorcam footage of Kerry shortly after his arrest, and a clear photo of him – taken a few years ago – afterwards appeared in the Daily Mail. As with the information noted above, we don’t know how exactly these items came into their possession, although tabloid journalists have formidable information-gathering resources at their disposal. If Mail or Sun journalists had found pictures of him at protests it is very likely they would have published them, or at least alluded to them. And if such pictures exist and are with the police, then Tice should ask them directly about it if he is serious rather than just striking a pose.
However, Tice’s conspiracism goes further: he also now suggests that the photo published by the Daily Mail is “classic Establishment misinformation”, because it makes him look like an “innocent sweetie chap” rather than a “thug”. He cites someone who seems to think that the picture is actually of someone else, based on comparison with a botched AI upscale of the pixelated doorcam footage (this has confused a lot of people) and a court sketch. Tice’s allegation here makes no sense – what purpose would be served?
Reform also has other complaints: Zia Yusuf claims that Devon & Cornwall Police ignored “hallmarks of a politically motivated attack” that “were visible from the first hours” (1), and that terror-related arrests arising from rar-right interest in a Muslim event in Suffolk were contrived to “shut down discussion” of the Widdecombe killing (2). Pro-Reform hack Allison Pearson believes that the trial being scheduled for next June is “disturbing evidence that the alleged murder of a right-wing politician is treated differently”. Again, though, it is not clear what purpose a delay would serve.
Note
1. The case against Kerry as related in court is that
A doorbell camera captured the suspect’s red Vauxhall Corsa pulling up outside the property… A camera positioned in the hallway showed the 78-year-old politician sitting down eating lunch in the kitchen before the defendant allegedly entered via the front door and asked her: “Don’t suppose you have bank cards and ID?”
He is then alleged to have struck her 21 times on the head with the hammer before tipping her out of her chair and on to the floor.
It is not clear how these details are “hallmarks of a politically motivated attack”.
2. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said that the arrests “undoubtedly saved lives”, although most of the suspects have since been released without charge. Searchlight, discussing the individuals involved, took the view that it “was always unlikely that this group of performative numpties with a penchant for conspiracy theories and dressing up in military gear would ever represent an actual terrorist threat”. However, there is no evidence that the Widdicombe murder influenced police decision making.
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