United Kingdom — Ekhbary News Agency
Heather Herbert, a transgender former Labour candidate, has been charged in connection with online posts made following the death of former Tory minister and TV personality Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe, 78, was discovered deceased at her cottage in Haytor, Devon, last Thursday, having sustained serious injuries, prompting a murder investigation.
Controversial Online Statements Lead to Charges
Hours after Ms. Widdecombe's passing was announced, posts appeared on Ms. Herbert's Bluesky social media account. One stated, "And some good news for once. I hope it was an extremely painful death," while another added, "And I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony." Police Scotland initially assessed the information, finding no immediate criminality. However, following further review, a spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that additional inquiries led to Ms. Herbert's arrest and subsequent charging. A report is now being prepared for the Procurator Fiscal, signifying the gravity of the allegations.
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Broader Investigation Continues Amidst University Probe
Ms. Herbert, 50, a web developer at Aberdeen University, now faces an internal investigation by her employer regarding the comments. Professor Peter Edwards, the university's Principal and Vice Chancellor, earlier this week affirmed a zero-tolerance stance on "violence or hateful behaviour," assuring the matter was a "priority." The Scottish Greens, which Ms. Herbert joined in late 2021 after leaving Scottish Labour, have also launched their own probe. Meanwhile, specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing are actively continuing the murder investigation into Ms. Widdecombe's death at her Dartmoor home. A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was arrested on suspicion of murder and later re-arrested on terrorism-related charges, with investigators believing the political veteran was the victim of a "targeted attack." For what it's worth, authorities are still seeking to understand the full scope of planning and motivation behind this unsettling incident.
