Ex-Labour candidate and university employee is being investigated after saying she hoped Ann Widdecombe suffered an 'extremely painful death'

Published: 20:35, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 20:36, 12 July 2026 An ex-Labour candidate and university employee is being investigated after saying she hoped Ann Widdecombe suffered an 'extremely painful death'. The police were informed that Heather Herbert, born Scott Herbert, a trans activist and web developer at the institution, made a post on Bluesky on Friday saying she hoped Widdecombe had suffered 'an extremely painful death'. She wrote: 'Some good news for once. I hope it was an extremely painful death. I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.'  Despite complaints being made to police, officers have confirmed no offence has been identified. A police spokesperson said: 'We have received reports relating to a post made online. 'The information has been assessed and no criminality has been established.'   Herbert is also a former Labour candidate in Scotland for Aberdeen Donside. Aberdeen University 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.  Former Scottish Labour candidate Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, responded to a news report of her death on her Bluesky account, writing: 'Some good news for once' Her comment led to Aberdeen University stating that they would conduct an investigation into Herbert '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.' A petition has been made asking Aberdeen University to conduct a formal review of Herbert's comments, reports the Herald. The petition says the remarks have caused concern among members of the public. It also asks the university to review the circumstances surrounding the comments, consider whether they meet its professional and ethical standards, and communicate the outcome of any review transparently. Student newspaper The Gaudie contacted Herbert on Saturday after the posts were made. She replied: '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. Widdecombe was killed in her home on Wednesday last week, and discovered 24 hours later Police were searching an address in Rotherham on Sunday, where they arrested a man on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe's murder 'I'm a nobody. I have no power to do anything. Ann Widdecombe was able to and made the lives of ordinary people hell.' Former Conservative MP and media personality Ann Widdecombe died at the age of 79.  Police are treating her death as a murder after she was found at her home with severe head injuries, and a 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire in connection with the incident. Widdecombe was a prominent, socially conservative politician who served as the MP for Maidstone for 23 years and as a government minister under John Major. Later in her career, she transitioned into television, appearing on shows like Strictly Come Dancing, before returning to politics as a staunch Brexit supporter, serving as an MEP and later representing Reform UK. This comes after it was revealed today that a man is believed to have driven nearly 300 miles to the 79-year-old former MP's Dartmoor home on the morning of her death on Wednesday. Neighbours claimed they saw him putting 'some kind of wooden stick' into the passenger side of a red car before driving off. Police were today continuing to search the home of the man, who was arrested by armed officers last night on suspicion of murdering Ms Widdecombe. Forensic experts remain inside the mid-terraced address on a council estate in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with uniformed officers on guard outside. Forensic officers were seen heading into the house, after it was confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the murder was politically motivated Floral tributes have been left on the grass outside her home, including a framed photograph of Ms Widdecombe Neighbours said around a dozen armed officers surrounded the property last night before knocking loudly at the door – an hour before England's World Cup match against Norway kicked off. The suspect, one of three brothers who locals described as a 'loner' who normally rarely left the house since his father died last year, answered the door and was arrested. One of the man's brothers is believed to live in Devon, while a second brother and his mother are said to live locally. This afternoon, the house remained cordoned off and guarded by police, with a dark blue tactical support unit, another police van and a police four-wheel drive vehicle parked outside. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.