Thread 7 Burnham : Teimlo’r hwyl - feel the hwy

[DuncinToffee]

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Well this is a turn up for the books Widdecombe suspect charged with planning terror act against Farage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv1j3lgrl6gko

Seems like the police may have really screwed up.

It's sickening.

I hate everything Farage stands for but there can be no place for violence in our political system. I knew Jo Cox at uni, and I still can't get my head around what happened to her. The murders of Anne Widdecombe and David Amess were horrific too. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with people who think that violence is the answer.

What seems strange is the flip flopping that went on between it being terrorism related or not and at one point it seemed to be suggested it had been a burglary gone wrong. Perhaps it will turn out to be the case that some serious errors were made initially.

Oh, the police did indeed describe the incident as "a burglary gone wrong" and an "attempted burglary" at the time the investigation was closed and even in August this year when Counter Terrorism Policing said it was investigating the incident in relation to Ann Widdecombe's murder.

The IOPC is supposed to be investigating the original investigation. One wonders whether the police closed the Farage case because he is a right-wing figure. I'm really not a fan of the man, but half-arsing an investigation into an attack on someone because of their political views is beyond the pale.

I will quote extensively from the BBC story of 7 August

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62qrvd9303o

"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.""

If the police has dealt with this properly then Anne Widdecombe might still be alive. Whether it was political bias, I am not so sure. It is far from the first time the police have failed to investigate an incident properly, leading to fatal consequences. Usually for women.

Political bias is unlikely given the arson attack on Starmer’s house.

Remember the reception that got on here? The laughing and smearing. The conspiracy theories?

I remember it all too well. The disgusting, baseless theories and complete dearth of sympathy.

I remember it only too well, it was horrible. So I agree that this police incompetence probably isn’t down to political bias.

I feel really sorry for Farage. No caveats.

But I am finding the double standards of those were happy to indulge in conspiracy theories etc. when Starmer was a victim rather horrible.

I don’t believe there was political bias at all, just incompetence. I do think that unfortunately media pressure for fast answers in high profile cases can play a part as well.

Hanlon’s razor.

I agree the demands for instant ‘hot takes’ isn’t helping anyone. But that isn’t just coming from the media.

You get a lot less attention if you say “lets not speculate, let the police pursue their investigation’.

Were the attacks on properties linked to Keir Starmer ever dismissed as an "attempted burglary'?

Is the IOPC looking into the police investigations into those attacks?

It's no wonder that Farage was looking like he had had enough of it all earlier this year when he said that his family were begging him to stop. For all his hateful views, he is human and it must be fucking awful to go through life constantly feeling at risk. Having milkshake thrown at you is one thing - and I condemned that at the time - but having people who are committed to doing you serious harm is a whole other level.

I agree that the shit on the Internet after the attack on Starmer's house was utterly despicable. But the shit about Anne Widdecombe - and probably Farage though I haven't personally seen it - is equally despicable.

The political debate has become so polarised and divided. Of course, Farage himself is partly responsible for that, but maybe we all need to take responsibility for dialling it down. Burnham has already made a good start on that by avoiding attacks on the other parties in his conference speech. I hope others will take note.

We have all agreed that police have screwed up the investigation. Nobody is questioning that.

Welcome to the thread, btw.

He wasn't just targeting Farage

Counter Terrorism Policing said on Friday they had charged Joshua Kerry, 28, with one count of engaging in preparation of terrorist acts, including against the head of the rightwing populist party.

The new charge related to activity alleged to have taken place between May 31 2024 and July 8 2026, CTP added.

https://www.ft.com/content/538ea132-4021-4095-8da3-9db41d42b19d?syn-25a6b1a6=1

That's behind a paywall @DuncinToffee

Very well said.

I think this is a big factor. The pressure to say too much, too soon, rather than a more general "we're pursuing multiple lines of enquiry."

Ah, sorry it wasn't for me

The man charged with the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has now been charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

The new charge comes after police in August reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary at Farage’s home in Greater London in April 2025, as part of the probe into Widdecombe’s murder.

Counter Terrorism Policing London reported themselves in August to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for missing the initial line of enquiry in the incident last year.

The police did not specify if the charge on Friday related to the alleged attack on Farage’s home.

I agree. Since Southport, I think there is a lot of concern about potential public reaction to anything that might be released.

From July.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/17/friday-briefing-is-violence-against-politicians-reshaping-democracy-in-the-uk

It is horrific to think that Anne Widdecombe's death might have been avoided if police had done a better job. But if that's what emerges from this, then I hope that someone will actually take the time to unpick what went wrong and learn from it, instead of turning it into another witch hunt against the police. Unless they deliberately bungled the investigation for political reasons - which seems unlikely - that isn't going to help anyone.

Another worrying development

“Far from tackling violence against women, far-right activity has actively disrupted frontline women’s services – and ultimately left victims more vulnerable.” Including services aimed at providing protection against domestic violence.

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-09-30/far-right-activism-womens-groups

“A survey this year by Women’s Aid of domestic abuse services in England found two had closed and cancelled face-to-face appointments during the 2024 riots, despite the events having pushed up demand, particularly from Black and minoritised survivors.”

Women have become increasingly reluctant to seek help.

““They don’t want to bring attention to themselves – they don’t want their houses burned down,” she says. “They suffer their abuse quietly, and perpetrators know that as well. So what the far-right are doing, actually, is helping perpetrators.”