University of Aberdeen investigating staff member’s comments about Ann Widdecombe

The University of Aberdeen is investigating comments made by a member of staff about the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe.

Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, responded to news of Widdecombe’s death on social media, posting: “Some good news for once. I hope it was an extremely painful death.”

Herbert added: “And I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.”

The comments were posted on Friday before police announced the former Conservative minister’s death was being treated as murder.

Earlier today it was announced that counter terrorism officers are now leading the investigation and that a 28-year-old man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murder has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A University of Aberdeen spokesperson said: “The university is aware of social media posts made by a member of staff regarding the death of Ann Widdecombe and is reviewing this as a matter of priority.

“The comments that have been shared are entirely the individual’s own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

“Complaints into any member of staff are handled confidentially through our established processes.”

Reform MSP Mark Simpson has now written to the university demanding Herbert’s “immediate suspension or dismissal”.

He said: “The comments made are vile and should be completely unacceptable in a civilised society, let alone within a prestigious university that should uphold standards of decency, respect and intellectual discourse.”

Widdecombe, who was 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon on Thursday.

She served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, holding ministerial roles in John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.

She joined the Brexit Party in 2019, where she represented South West England as its MEP from 2019 to 2020 and later became a spokesperson for Reform.