University of Aberdeen staff member charged over comments made about Ann Widdecombe's death

A University of Aberdeen member of staff has been arrested and charged over comments made about the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe on social media.

Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, was reported to police after responding to the news of Widdecombe's death.  

Initially, Police Scotland had said there was no criminality related to the comments.  

However, it then said the individual had been placed under investigation and has now confirmed that the 50-year-old has been arrested and charged.  

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We received reports on Saturday 11 July 2026 relating to a post made online.

“Following further assessment, a 50-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection.

“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

Earlier this week, the University of Aberdeen said the incident, in which the comments were made before Widdecombe’s death was being treated as a murder, was being investigated.  

Counter terrorism officers are now leading the investigation, and 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.

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, representing South West England as its MEP from 2019 to 2020, and later became a spokesperson for Reform.