Major update in case of uni worker's Ann Widdecombe 'extremely painful' death posts

Heather Herbert took to social media platform Bluesky in the wake of Ann Widdecombe's death to say 'some good news for once' and 'I hope she died an extremely painful death'

Dan Grennan Audience Writer

09:05, 15 Jul 2026Updated 09:20, 15 Jul 2026

[Heather Herbert has stood over her comments]

Heather Herbert has stood over her comments(Image: Heather Herbert/Facebook)

A police probe into comments made by a political activist celebrating the death of Ann Widdecombe has been reopened. Uni worker Heather Herbert wrote in a social media post that she hoped the 78-year-old "died a painful death" and was "handcuffed to a bed as she screamed in agony".

Outrage erupted after the web developer at the University of Aberdeen said the former Conservative MP's death was "good news". Police Scotland have revealed they are now looking into the posts which were uploaded before the death was being treated as a murder.

The posts were initially found to not be a criminal matter but the cops have now said "additional inquiries" are underway. A spokesperson said: We received reports on Saturday, 11 July, 2026 relating to a post made online.

[Herbert is a uni worker]

Herbert is a uni worker(Image: Heather Herbert/Facebook)

Following further assessment, additional inquiries are being carried out.

Ms Herbert's employers are also said to be investigating the posts made on BlueSky. A spokesperson told The Press and Journal: We are aware of the comments being referred to online and are looking into the matter.

The uni worker has defended the comments, calling the reaction "hugely overblown".

[The Brexit Party Campaigns In Fylde]

Ann Widdecombe was found dead on Thursday last week(Image: Getty)

Yesterday, it was announced by counter-terrorism police that Widdecombe was the victim of a "targeted attack". The former MEP was discovered deceased at her residence in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, last Thursday.

Counter-terrorism police have now taken the lead in the investigation into the former Conservative minister's death following the emergence of new evidence. However, a senior officer emphasised that the murder and terror investigations are currently proceeding "in parallel".

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor informed reporters: "It is clear that this was a targeted attack. We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.

"I wouldn't want to comment on what that motivation was. The two investigations are running in parallel. In terms of the preparation and planning, we are aware that there has been some preparation and planning. I don't want to go into the details of the extent of that at this stage."

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