Police Scotland is conducting further inquiries into online comments made by Heather Herbert, a former Scottish Labour candidate, regarding the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. Herbert, a transgender web developer at Aberdeen University, posted on the social media platform Bluesky on July 10, expressing a wish for Widdecombe to have suffered an 'extremely painful death.' Widdecombe was found dead at her cottage in Haytor on Dartmoor on July 10, with police later confirming she had sustained serious injuries.
Initially, Police Scotland assessed the information and stated no criminality had been established. However, on July 11, the force announced that following further assessment, additional inquiries were being carried out in response to reports of an online post made on July 10. Herbert had also posted, "And I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony," and later insisted she was "glad [Ms Widdecombe] was dead."
A resurfaced video, reportedly filmed in May of the previous year, appears to show Herbert nodding as a friend, identified as Poppybear Hackett, says, "And if people don't show love, show bullets." Hackett's broader statement in the video urged people to "show some love" regardless of skin color or sexual orientation, before making the comment about bullets.
Aberdeen University has stated it has a zero-tolerance approach to violence or hateful behavior and is investigating Herbert's comments as a priority. The Scottish Greens, with whom Herbert became associated in late 2021 after a prior membership with Scottish Labour, have also launched an investigation.
Ann Widdecombe, 78, was discovered by her gardener at her home. A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 12. On July 14, Counter Terrorism Policing took over the investigation, with lead investigator Laurence Taylor stating that the attack is believed to have been targeted and that officers are examining the motivation behind it.
In a separate incident, a man in his 20s was arrested on July 15 on suspicion of sending a threatening communication to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The post on X, made on May 8, warned Farage, "I am going to shoot you in the head if you win." The suspect had reportedly described himself as a terrorist on social media. He was released on bail. Reform UK has stated that Farage receives approximately 30 death threats per week, with 1,577 threats recorded since February, including 597 death threats.