Uni employee arrested after ‘hope Anne Widdecombe was handcuffed and screaming’ feedback
Trans activist Heather Herbert was held by police after a post was made calling the death “good news” and which expressed hopes the former MP, 78, was “handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony”
Heather Herbert has been charged(Image: Heather Herbert/Facebook)
A university worker has been arrested and charged after comments were made online wishing Ann Widdecombe had an “extremely painful” death.
Trans activist Heather Herbert, 50, was held by police after a post was made calling the death “good news” and which expressed hopes the former MP, 78, was “handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony” in her final moments.
The comments were made on social media site BlueSky before it emerged Ms Widdecombe’s death was being treated as murder. Herbert has now been arrested and charge in connection with the posts, Police Scotland confirmed to the Daily Star.
Herbert has been arrested and charged in connection with the posts(Image: Heather Herbert/Facebook)
A spokesperson said: “We received reports on Saturday July 11, 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.”
Aberdeen University, where Herbert works as a web developer, also it was probing the remarks. Ms Widdecombe repeatedly opposed LGBT+ rights during her political career.
The veteran politician was found dead in her home in Devon on Thursday. Police believe she had been bludgeoned to death 24 hours earlier.
Police at the home of a man arrested in connection of the murder of Ann Widdecombe(Image: Steve Allen)
Her body was found by a carer who had called in to her home near Dartmoor to check up on her after she stopped answering messages.
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham, South Yorks., was originally arrested on suspicion of murdering the former MP on Saturday. He was then re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Counter-terrorism cops are leading the probe into the former MP’s death.
Tributes left in memory of Ann Widdecombe(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “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 it.
“Extensive searches have taken place at an address in Rotherham and scenes remain in place as that activity continues.
“This is a complex investigation and there are multiple lines of enquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously including digital forensic examinations.
Ann Widdecombe was interviewed just before her death(Image: TimesRadio/X)
“I am very aware of the significant levels of public interest in this case, given that Miss Widdecombe was such a high-profile political and public figure, and familiar to many.
“I do not intend to address every bit of speculation we have seen, but I would like to use this opportunity to remind the public that investigations of this type are complex, and new information can emerge as officers progress their enquiries.
“We intend to release further information when it’s available and appropriate to do so.”
