The University of Aberdeen was forced to distance itself from a staff member who posted online hoping former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe suffered “an extremely painful death” following news of her murder.
Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, a transgender activist and a former Labour candidate, went on her Bluesky account to celebrate Widdecombe’s death, hoping she died in agony.
Herbert reacted on the reports of Widdecombe’s murder, “Some good news for once.”
“I hope it was an extremely painful death.”
She added: “I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.”
The posts were made shortly after reports of the 78-year-old’s killing at her Dartmoor home, before police confirmed they were treating the death as murder.
The university issued a statement on Sunday saying the comments “are entirely the individual’s own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.”
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.
— University of Aberdeen (@aberdeenuni) July 12, 2026
The comments that have been shared are entirely the individual’s own and do not represent the views of the University of… pic.twitter.com/DIySwIo4e2
It confirmed the matter is being reviewed “as a matter of priority” through established staff processes.
“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.
Police Scotland have stated no criminality was established in relation to the posts.
Gaudie, a student newspaper contacted Herbert on Saturday after she made her controversial posts.
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,” she continued.
“I’m a nobody. I have no power to do anything. Ann Widdecombe was able to and made the lives of ordinary people hell.”
She also added: “Nobody appears to care – I also celebrated the death of the leader of Iran.”
Herbert’s statements caused a lot of reactions, with many people demanding disciplinary action or dismissal.
One user wrote to Herbert: “I was never a fan of the woman and I certainly didn’t agree with her politics, but saying that about a fellow human is awful. There’s enough hatred in this world.”
In response, Herbert wrote: “I’m done with being nice to pieces of human garbage like her.”
Critics see her comments as a disturbing normalisation of violent rhetoric against political opponents within parts of academia and the public sector.
Widdecombe, a prominent Eurosceptic and social conservative known for her forthright views on issues including immigration, wokery and traditional values, was a frequent target of left-wing criticism and intense personal attacks during her political career.
She was a veteran British politician, author, and media personality.
Widdecombe was violently murdered on July 8 at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor.
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham has been arrested on suspicion of the killing.
The investigation into her murder is being led by Counter Terrorism Police after “new information and evidence has come to light”.