Trans ex-Labour candidate is charged over posts in wake of Ann Widdecombe's death

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:10, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 13:16, 16 July 2026 A transgender ex-Labour candidate has been charged over online posts about Ann Widdecombe's death. The former Tory minister and TV star, 78, was found dead at her cottage in Haytor, Dartmoor, last Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. Only hours after Ms Widdecombe's death was announced, a post appeared on trans rights activist Heather Herbert's social media.  Writing on Bluesky, she said: 'And some good news for once. I hope it was an extremely painful death.' In another post, Ms Herbert said: 'And I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.' The posts were published before detectives announced they were treating Ms Widdecombe's death as murder. Police Scotland initially said the information had been assessed and 'no criminality' had been established. However, in an update on Tuesday, a spokesman for the force said: 'We received reports on Saturday, 11 July, 2026, relating to a post made online. 'Following further assessment, additional enquiries are being carried out.' Ms Herbert, 50, has since been arrested and charged, and a report is due to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.  A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We received reports on Saturday, July 11, 2026, relating to a post made online. 'Following further assessment, a 50-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection.' Her employer, Aberdeen University, where Ms Herbert works as a web developer, has also launched an investigation into the comments. Transgender ex-Labour candidate Heather Herbert, 50, has been charged over online posts about former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead last Thursday Specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are continuing the investigation into the death of Ms Widdecombe Aberdeen University Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Edwards, said earlier this week the university has a zero-tolerance approach to 'violence or hateful behaviour', and gave his assurance the comments were being investigated 'as a priority'. The Scottish Greens have additionally launched a probe into the comments. Ms Herbert joined the Scottish Greens in late 2021 after previously being a member of Scottish Labour. Meanwhile specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are continuing the investigation into the death of Ms Widdecombe. A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday and later re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Laurence Taylor, leading the investigation, said the political veteran is believed to have been the victim of a 'targeted attack' and confirmed officers are still looking into any 'motivation' behind her death.  Mr Taylor said: 'We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack. 'I don't want to comment further on that motivation or preparation at this stage of our inquiries.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.