Aberdeen University is investigating one of its employees, Heather Herbert, after she posted disturbing messages on social media celebrating the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. Herbert, a web developer and political activist who has stood for election for both Labour and the Scottish Greens, wrote on her BlueSky account that she hoped Widdecombe had "died a painful death" and was "handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony."
University Responds to Controversial Posts
A spokesperson for Aberdeen University confirmed the institution is looking into the matter. "We are aware of the comments being referred to online and are looking into the matter," the spokesperson said. The posts appeared within hours of Widdecombe's death being announced, before police officially confirmed they were treating it as a murder inquiry.
Details of the Offensive Remarks
Herbert wrote: "Some good news for once. I hope it was an extremely painful death." She added: "I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony." The reference to being handcuffed was widely interpreted as alluding to Widdecombe's controversial policy as a Home Office minister in the 1990s, which allowed pregnant prisoners to be shackled during childbirth.
Herbert, who has previously stood for election for both Labour and the Scottish Greens, faced immediate backlash online. One user responded: "I was never a fan of the woman and I certainly didn't agree with her politics, but saying that about a fellow human is awful. There's enough hatred in this world."
Herbert Refuses to Apologise
When challenged by Aberdeen University's student newspaper, The Gaudie, Herbert refused to apologise. She defended her remarks, saying: "I don't want to see anyone murdered, but I'm still glad she is dead. I'm not a hypocrite. I posted that before the murder investigation was launched. I'm a nobody. I have no power to do anything. Ann Widdecombe was able to and made the lives of ordinary people hell."
Background on Ann Widdecombe
Widdecombe had a long political career spanning 23 years as a Conservative MP, a Home Office minister, and later an MEP for the Brexit Party. During her career, she defended the controversial Section 28 legislation, voted against equalising the age of consent for gay men, opposed civil partnerships, and later argued against same-sex marriage.
She was found bludgeoned to death in her remote bungalow on Dartmoor on Thursday. It is thought she was attacked 24 hours earlier, around lunchtime on Wednesday. A 28-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned by murder detectives.
