Counter-terror police investigating the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe have reopened a year-old probe into an alleged firebomb attack at Nigel Farage’s home in south London, according to reports.
Officers said the incident, which the Telegraph described as a “lit incendiary device” being posted through the Reform UK leader’s letterbox, happened at an address in Greater London and was reported in April 2025.
The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London said they investigated an “attempted burglary”, but no arrests were made and the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.
Since it was reopened, CTP London has identified a line of inquiry “which may have been relevant” but was “not identified and pursued by them at the time”.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is now investigating the “conduct” of a CTP London staff member, following an allegation that the employee “failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry” related to the attempted burglary.
Mr Farage told the Telegraph in April that a lit incendiary device was shoved through his letterbox in early 2025 in an “outright arson attempt” when he was not in.
He found the damage when he returned home, and “luckily it had burned itself out in the porch”.
Police investigated but had not identified any suspects, Mr Farage told the newspaper.
Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Ms Widdecombe, 78, died on July 8 after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, a court heard.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on July 20.
Senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said: “As part of the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have reopened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year.
She added: “Given the nature of this matter and the significant public interest in the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death, it was of critical importance for us to provide this update.”
CTP London said it made a “mandatory conduct referral” to the police watchdog on Friday.
An IOPC spokesperson said on Friday: “We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received earlier today.
“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.
“Counter Terrorism Policing London has been notified of our decision, and no further information is available at this early stage.”
On Saturday, Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice said authorities have “only recently” begun to acknowledge the abuse he and other MPs in his party have faced.
“Only recently have the authorities woken up to the abuse and intimidation I and other Reform MPs have had, despite plenty of real examples that we have provided,” he told The Telegraph.
He added: “For too long, the threats we have faced have not been taken seriously.”
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