A university staff member faces police charges for allegedly expressing a desire for Ann Widdecombe to suffer a painful death. Heather Herbert, aged 50, is accused of making these comments on social media, where she reportedly mentioned it as positive news that the former Cabinet Minister had passed away and expressed a wish for her to endure extreme suffering while handcuffed to a bed.
The controversial posts appeared on Bluesky before news emerged of Widdecombe’s death at her Dartmoor residence being investigated as a potential murder. Initially, Police Scotland found no criminality in the comments but later decided to charge Herbert with an offense.
Specifics of the charge will be disclosed during Herbert’s initial court appearance. A police spokesman stated that following reports received on July 11, 2026, regarding an online post, the 50-year-old suspect was arrested and charged. The case details will be presented to the procurator fiscal for review.
Aberdeen University, where Herbert is employed as a web developer, is also addressing the situation. The institution’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Edwards, emphasized the university’s zero-tolerance stance towards violence and hateful conduct. He assured that the comments are under active investigation.
The university spokesperson clarified that the individual’s comments do not reflect the university’s views and reiterated the institution’s disapproval of violent or hateful behavior in any form. Cooperation with Police Scotland is ongoing, and further comments are withheld during the investigation process.
Additionally, the Scottish Greens are reportedly examining the remarks made by Herbert. She transitioned to the Scottish Greens in late 2021 after her prior affiliation with Scottish Labour.
Ann Widdecombe, found deceased in her Haytor, Devon home at 78 years old, served as a Brexit Party MEP and later became a spokesperson for Reform UK. Reports indicate that she remained undiscovered in her kitchen for 24 hours before being located.
A 28-year-old individual from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe’s murder and is currently in police custody for questioning. The suspect was also re-arrested on terrorism-related charges, allowing authorities to detain him for up to seven days without charge.
The announcement from Police Scotland coincided with Conservative Party leader Liz Truss breaking down during a tribute to Widdecombe at an event in London. Truss praised Widdecombe’s principled nature and expressed sorrow over her untimely death, emphasizing Widdecombe’s dedication to values like free speech and patriotism.
For reliable news updates, select Daily Mirror as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News.
