Counter-terrorism police have reopened an investigation into a reported attempted burglary at a London property last year, which is understood to be Nigel Farage's home. The probe is being conducted as part of the broader inquiry into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe.

The incident, which occurred in April of last year, was initially investigated by the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London. No arrests were made at the time, and the investigation was subsequently closed. However, Counter Terrorism Policing announced on Friday that a new line of inquiry has been identified which was not pursued previously.

Counter Terrorism Policing London has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding its handling of the initial investigation. The IOPC confirmed it will independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member, alleging a failure to identify and pursue a relevant line of inquiry related to the attempted burglary.

Ann Widdecombe, a 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon last month with serious injuries. Joshua Kerry has since been charged with her murder and was initially arrested on suspicion of murder before also being arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses.

Nigel Farage previously described the incident at his south London home as a lit incendiary device being pushed through his letterbox. Police at the time reported that damage was caused to a door but nothing was stolen.

Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years and held ministerial positions in the 1990s. Her death and the subsequent murder charge have drawn significant attention, with the reopening of the burglary probe adding another layer to the ongoing investigation.

The IOPC's investigation into the conduct of the police staff member focuses specifically on the alleged failure to follow up on leads related to the attempted burglary. This suggests a potential procedural lapse in how the initial incident was handled by counter-terrorism units.

Further details regarding the specific nature of the newly identified line of inquiry have not been disclosed. The reopening of the case and the IOPC's involvement underscore the seriousness with which the matter is now being treated.