{"id":688297,"date":"2026-07-12T22:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T22:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/688297\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T22:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T22:23:09","slug":"aberdeen-university-employee-investigated-over-social-media-posts-about-ann-widdecombes-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/688297\/","title":{"rendered":"Aberdeen university employee investigated over social media posts about Ann Widdecombe’s death"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Aberdeen is carrying out an \u2018urgent review\u2019 of social media posts made by a member of staff regarding the death of Ann Widdecombe.<\/p>\n

The former Conservative minister, and later Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.<\/p>\n

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shortly after 9pm on Saturday with the support of Counter Terrorism Police.<\/p>\n

Aberdeen University said it is reviewing the comments made by its staff member \u201cas a matter of priority\u201d.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the university said: \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe comments that have been shared are entirely the individual\u2019s own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.<\/p>\n

\u201cComplaints into any member of staff are handled confidentially through our established processes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The university\u2019s rector, Iona Fyfe condemned the comments.<\/p>\n

In a post on X, she wrote: \u201cI have been made aware of criticism regarding comments made by a member of the university staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI have received a significant volume of emails regarding this to my Rector email. Please note, as Rector, it is not my responsibility to oversee complaints regarding the behaviour of staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no further comment right now, only that in my personal capacity, I\u2019d like to condemn any comments which glorifies violence of any sort, against anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Police have confirmed that following reports of the posts, \u201cno criminality\u201d was established.<\/p>\n

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: \u201cWe have received reports relating to a post made online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe information has been assessed and no criminality has been established.\u201d<\/p>\n

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