A University of Aberdeen employee has been arrested and charged over social media comments that appeared to celebrate the death of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson.
Heather Herbert, 50, was taken into custody after police received reports on Saturday, 11 July 2026 – the same day a 28-year-old man was detained on suspicion of murder. Widdecombe, 78, was found dead in her Dartmoor home on Thursday last week, with police later saying she is thought to have been killed around 24 hours before her body was discovered.
“University of Aberdeen worker Heather Herbert charged over social media comments celebrating Ann Widdecombe's death”
The comments were made before it emerged that her death was being treated as murder, according to Police Scotland, which 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. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'
The arrest came after significant online backlash against posts that appeared to celebrate the politician’s death. Initially, police had said 'no criminality has been established' in relation to those comments.
Widdecombe’s killing has prompted an outpouring of shock from across the political spectrum. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer voiced support for installing a permanent memorial to her in the House of Commons.
