Police Scotland is conducting further inquiries into online comments made by Heather Herbert, a former Labour candidate and web developer at Aberdeen University, following the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. Herbert had posted on Bluesky that she hoped Widdecombe suffered an "extremely painful death" and "was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony."
Initially, Police Scotland assessed the information and found "no criminality." However, an updated statement indicated that "additional enquiries are being carried out" after receiving reports on July 11, 2026. Herbert, who joined the Scottish Greens in late 2021 after being a member of Scottish Labour, is also under investigation by the party.
Aberdeen University has stated it has a zero-tolerance approach to violence and hateful behavior and is prioritizing the investigation into Herbert's comments. Rector Iona Fyfe condemned any comments that glorify violence.
Separately, a resurfaced video appears to show Herbert nodding as a friend, identified as Poppybear Hackett, stated, "If people don't show love, show bullets." Hackett was speaking in a context discussing showing love regardless of race or sexual orientation.
Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her cottage in Haytor, Dartmoor, on July 10, 2026, with serious injuries. A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. Counter Terrorism Policing has taken over the investigation, treating it as a "targeted attack" and examining the motivation and preparation behind it.
In an unrelated incident, a man in his 20s was arrested after posting a death threat on X directed at the Reform UK leader. The suspect, who reportedly described himself as a terrorist on social media, was arrested after posting the threat on May 8, 2026, and has since been released on bail. Reform UK has reported a significant number of threats against its leader, including hundreds of death threats since February.