A university employee faces charges from law enforcement for allegedly expressing desires for Ann Widdecombe to experience a painful death. Heather Herbert, aged 50, is accused of making these comments on social media, where she reportedly stated it would be “good news” if the former Cabinet Minister passed away and wished for her to suffer while handcuffed to a bed.
The contentious posts appeared on Bluesky before it was revealed that Ms. Widdecombe’s death at her Dartmoor residence was being investigated as a murder case. Initially, Police Scotland deemed the comments non-criminal, but they later announced Herbert’s charge following further scrutiny.
The specific charge against Herbert will be disclosed during her initial court appearance. A police spokesperson mentioned receiving reports on July 11, 2026, regarding an online post, leading to Herbert’s arrest and subsequent charge. The case details will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
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 a zero-tolerance policy towards violence and hateful conduct, assuring the public of a swift investigation into the comments.
The university clarified that the remarks shared were solely the individual’s own and do not reflect the institution’s stance. They emphasized their disapproval of any form of violence or hate speech and confirmed cooperation with Police Scotland’s inquiries.
Furthermore, the Scottish Greens are reportedly investigating Herbert’s comments. She had joined the party in late 2021 after previously being associated with Scottish Labour.
Ann Widdecombe, aged 78, was discovered deceased in her Haytor, Devon home. A 28-year-old suspect from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of her murder and is currently under investigation. Additionally, he was re-arrested on terrorism-related charges, allowing authorities to detain him for up to seven days for further investigations.
The announcement from Police Scotland coincided with a poignant moment at the Conservative Political Action Conference GB, where former Prime Minister Liz Truss emotionally paid tribute to Widdecombe, highlighting her principled nature and contributions to conservative values.