Aberdeen University has launched an 'urgent review' after a staff member posted on social media that she hoped Ann Widdecombe suffered an 'extremely painful death'. Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, made the remarks on Bluesky on Friday July 10, shortly after news of Widdecombe's death emerged.
Vile Social Media Posts
In a series of hateful messages shared before police confirmed a murder inquiry, Herbert responded to a news report about the former Tory MP's death, writing it was 'some good news for once'. She added: 'I hope it was an extremely painful death.' Continuing her celebration, she wrote: 'I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.'
The posts were widely condemned online. One user replied: '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.'
University Response
The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that the university is reviewing the posts as a 'matter of priority'. In a statement, Aberdeen University said it was 'aware of social media posts made by a member of staff regarding the death of Ann Widdecombe' and emphasised that the comments 'are the individual’s own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen'. The institution confirmed it was 'reviewing this as a matter of priority'. Express.co.uk has approached the university for further comment.
Herbert's Background and Lack of Remorse
Herbert, who has previously stood for election for both Labour and the Scottish Greens, reportedly refused to apologise. According to Aberdeen University's student newspaper, The Gaudie, she said: '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.'
Her 'handcuffed to the bed' remark was widely seen as a reference to a controversial policy Widdecombe defended as a Home Office minister in the 1990s, which allowed pregnant prisoners to be shackled during childbirth.
Widdecombe's Death and Political Career
Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead on Thursday in her remote home in Dartmoor, Devon, with head injuries and covered in blood. Police arrested a 28-year-old white British man on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening with support from Counter Terrorism Police.
Widdecombe had an incredible political career spanning 23 years as a Conservative MP, a Home Office minister, and later an MEP for the Brexit Party. She also served as a spokeswoman for Reform UK. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice described her as 'an absolute colossus, a legend in all our lifetime', adding: 'Ann Widdecombe was unique, she was adored by millions, she was treasured by millions… She was a remarkable, remarkable figure.'
