Aberdeen University employee Heather Herbert said they hoped the Reform spokeswoman and former Tory minister experienced an ‘extremely painful death’
Heather Herbert has sparked fury with their comments(Image: Facebook )
A former Scottish Green election candidate is being probed after saying they hoped Anne Widdecombe experienced an “extremely painful death”. Transgender Heather Herbert made the comments after news of the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant’s death emerged during the week.
And Herbert refused to back down even after it emerged the 78-year-old’s death was being treated as murder. Aberdeen University, where Herbert works as a web developer, has now confirmed it has launched an investigation.
In a statement released on Sunday, the organisation 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.” Herbert had posted on Bluesky that news of Widdecombe’s death was “some good news for once,” adding: “I hope it was an extremely painful death.
“And I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.” Even when challenged, the former Labour member said: “I’m done with being nice to peices (sic) of human garbage like her.”
When approached by Aberdeen’s student newspaper, The Gaudie, after the murder probe was launched, Herbert said: “I don’t want to see anyone murdered, but I’m still glad she is dead.
Ann Widdecombe is believed to have been killed at the age of 78(Image: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
“I’m not a hypocrite. I posted that before the murder investigation was launched. I’m a nobody. I have no power to do anything. Ann Widdecombe was able to and made the lives of ordinary people hell.” Herbet ended the statement by saying they “also celebrated the death of the leader of Iran”. Herbert had once tried to stand as a Labour candidate at Holyrood but defected to the Greens due to their support for independence and trans ideology.
It has become a common myth on the left that Widdecombe, who was Reform UK’s justice and immigration spokeswoman, supported pregnant women prisoners in labour being handcuffed to their hospital bed. In reality, she actually defended an inherited policy for pregnant prisoners that did not involve securing them during treatment, labour, or childbirth, while she was Tory Minister for Prisons in 1996.
Meanwhile, folk singer Iona Fyfe has been forced to tell those angry at Herbert’s comments not to contact her. The folk singer and prominent nationalist is rector of the university but said on social media: “I have been made aware of criticism regarding comments made by a member of the University staff. I have received a significant volume of emails regarding this to my Rector email.
Aberdeen University rector Iona Fyfe(Image: R. Diamond/Getty Images)
“Please note, as Rector, it is not my responsibility to oversee complaints regarding the behaviour of staff. This will go through correct and proper complaints procedure. The University is aware of the comments being referred to online and are looking into the matter.”
She said she would report any “abusive or harassing,” adding: “There is no further comment right now, only that in my personal capacity, I’d like to condemn any comments which glorifies violence of any sort, against anyone.”