AN Aberdeen University staffer has been arrested after posting comments online about Ann Widdecombe's death.
Web developer Heather Herbert called the 78-year-old politician’s death “good news” before going on to say she hoped she had died a "painful death".
“I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony,” Herbert wrote on Bluesky, referencing comments made by Widdecombe when she was prisons minister.
She has now been charged in connection with the posts.
A murder probe was launched at the weekend after the former Tory MP was found dead in her home. She was allegedly killed on July 9.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in Yorkshire in connection with her murder.
The university confirmed it was reviewing the posts and now says it is co-operating with police following the arrest.
A police 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.”
Following the comments, the University of Aberdeen issued a statement saying the views did not represent those of the institution and the comments were being reviewed "as a priority".
In 1996, Widdecombe defended a policy that forced pregnant inmates to wear chains when visiting hospitals for ante-natal care.
Herbert, a former Scottish Labour candidate who later joined the Greens, told The National that she felt the response to her posts had been “hugely overblown”.
Herbert left the Greens following candidate Sophie Molly's deselection after she called JK Rowling "a torn-faced cow".
A university spokesperson said: “The comments that have been shared are entirely the individual’s own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
“We do not condone violence or hateful behaviour in any form.
“We are co-operating with Police Scotland as they carry out their inquiries and cannot comment further.”
