Nigel Farage firebomb attack probe reopened after police missed suspect on CCTV

When the attack took place in April 2025, the police force told the Reform leader that security cameras did not capture the suspect at this London home.

But after party spokeswoman and former minister Ann Widdecombe was found bludgeoned to death in her Devon home earlier this year, Mr Farage’s investigation was reopened.

Further examination by counter-terror police found the suspect and their car had been spotted "over an extended period", The Telegraph revealed.

Now, the officer who originally reviewed the footage has been placed under investigation by the police watchdog.

The IOPC is investigating whether the officer in question could be found guilty of discreditable conduct.

No one has yet been charged with the attempted firebombing attack on Mr Farage’s property.

It is further alleged that they "may not have undertaken the CCTV tasking to the standard required, leading to a missed opportunity to protect the public".

On April 20, 2025, Mr Farage’s partner, Laure Ferrari, came home to find their door at their Greater London home had been damaged.

An empty can of lighter fuel was discovered nearby, with its contents spattered over the front door.

The MP suspects the firebomber’s plans had been foiled by a neighbour with three large dogs.

The police then took 74 hours’ worth of CCTV footage from security cameras around the property and interviewed Mr Farage and Ms Ferrari following the incident.

While on the campaign trail earlier this year, the Clacton MP opened up about the attack, detailing how a lit incendiary device was placed into his letterbox last year.

At the time, he admitted there were "huge dangers in this job" as the political leader called for increased security for his MPs.

"It was an outright arson attempt. I wasn’t at home at the time, but when I came back and opened the door I found the damage," Mr Farage told The Telegraph.

"Luckily it had burned itself out in the porch, and we think maybe the perpetrators were disturbed in the act. The police were all over it."

Mr Farage also discussed how he received a seven-figure gift to spend on his security arrangements from British billionaire Christopher Harborne ahead of re-entering politics in 2024.

The hefty sum for his security is believed to fall within the region of £5million.

"This money was given to me so that I would be safe and secure for the rest of my life," he said.

A month after Ms Widdecombe’s murder, Mr Farage was alerted to the new discovery on the CCTV footage supplied.

Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, 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.

"In April 2025, the Metropolitan Police received a report of an attempted burglary at an address in the Greater London area.

"Inquiries were carried out by the Metropolitan Police, supported by Counter Terrorism Policing London. No arrests were made, and the investigation was subsequently closed, pending any new lines of inquiry.

"Following the re-opening of the attempted burglary investigation, Counter Terrorism Policing London identified a line of inquiry which was not identified and pursued by them at the time, which may have been relevant.

"As a result, to ensure their support to the initial investigation is thoroughly reviewed, Counter Terrorism Policing London made a mandatory conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today, Friday August 7 2026.

"We will engage fully and comprehensively with the IOPC on this matter. The victims and families in both investigations have been updated today, and we continue to support them.

"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."