STORY
The University of Aberdeen is investigating comments made by employee and political activist Heather Herbert after she said she hoped former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe had suffered “an extremely painful death”. Herbert, who works as a web application developer at the university, posted the remarks on social media after Widdecombe’s death was announced.
Herbert also reportedly wrote that she hoped Widdecombe had been “handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony”. The University of Aberdeen said it was aware of the comments being circulated online and was looking into the matter. It has not announced the outcome of its investigation or said whether any disciplinary action has been taken.
Herbert has previously stood for election as a Labour candidate and has also been associated with the Scottish Greens. She contested Aberdeen Donside for Labour at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election and later stood in the Kincorth, Nigg and Cove ward at the 2022 Aberdeen City Council election.