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Police make further inquiries into university employee's Ann Widdecombe comments

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Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon last Thursday, having sustained serious injuries

Police say they are making further inquiries into social media comments by an Aberdeen University employee about the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe.

Heather Herbert, who is believed to be a web developer, had posted that Widdecombe's death on Thursday was "good news" and that she hoped it was an "extremely painful death".

Police Scotland initially said there had been no criminality in relation to the comments.

However, the force has now confirmed the case remains under investigation.

A spokesperson said: "We received reports on Saturday, 11 July, 2026 relating to a post made online.

"Following further assessment, additional inquiries are being carried out."

The university has also said the incident, which happened before the politician's death was treated as an alleged murder, was under review.

A spokesperson said: "The comments that have been shared are entirely the individual's own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

"We do not condone violence or hateful behaviour in any form.

"We are cooperating with Police Scotland as they carry out their innquiries and cannot comment further."

Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon last Thursday, having sustained serious injuries.

A white British man, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, originally arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Trans activist Herbert stood for Labour in Aberdeen Donside in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, and for the Greens in a council by-election in Aberdeen in 2022.

BBC Scotland News has tried to contact Herbert for comment.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, has said Widdecombe died in a "brutal" and "targeted attack".

He confirmed a counter-terrorism investigation is "running in parallel" to the murder investigation.