Burnham seeks correction after Commons remark about Widdecombe murder charge
Downing Street says a correction has been issued to Hansard after the prime minister described a defendant as responsible for Ann Widdecombe’s murder. The man has not entered a plea.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked for Parliament’s official record to be corrected after saying during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 14 October, that an individual was responsible for the murder of Ann Widdecombe. A man has been charged in the case but has not entered a plea, according to the BBC.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said a correction had been issued to Hansard and would be published in due course, the BBC reported. Its precise wording had not been published at the time of the BBC’s report.
Why Burnham’s Commons wording drew criticism
Conservative shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman accused Burnham of breaching Parliament’s sub judice rule and the presumption of innocence, according to the BBC and Metro. Metro described the rule as restricting references to pending court matters in parliamentary debates, questions and motions. It also reported that words spoken by MPs in the Commons chamber are protected by parliamentary privilege.
Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell told MPs that Burnham had misspoken, apologised and corrected the record, both outlets reported. According to the BBC, Campbell said there was no excuse for misspeaking, but argued that the correction should put the matter into perspective.
Charges against Joshua Kerry and the court timetable
The BBC identified the defendant as Joshua Kerry, 28, and reported that he was charged with Widdecombe’s murder in July. Metro reported that Kerry had been arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July. Both outlets said he had not entered a plea. The charge remains before the courts and does not establish that he committed the killing.
Kerry’s plea and case management hearing is scheduled for 29 January 2027, with a trial before a High Court judge scheduled for 8 June 2027, according to the BBC.
The BBC also reported that Kerry was charged earlier in October with preparing acts of terror, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
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Sources and context
- Andy Burnham asks for his Widdecombe remarks to be correctedBBC
- Andy Burnham apologises over PMQs comments about Ann Widdecombe caseMetro
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