Aberdeen University staffer says backlash to Ann Widdecombe comments 'overblown'
A University of Aberdeen staff member is facing backlash after posting controversial comments regarding the death of former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe. The university has distanced itself from the remarks, stating they are under review, while the staffer claims the reaction is overblown.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding free speech, institutional reputation, and the conduct of public-facing employees on social media.
Ann Widdecombe University of Aberdeen Politics
A UNIVERSITY of Aberdeen staff member has said a row over her comments following the death of Ann Widdecombe are “hugely overblown”.
Heather Herbert, a former Scottish Labour candidate, who is a web developer at the university, said that she hoped the former Tory minister suffered an “extremely 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.
In 1996, Widdecombe defended a policy that forced pregnant inmates to wear chains when visiting hospitals for ante-natal care.
Herbert’s posts were made before police announced they were treating Widdecombe’s death as murder.
The University of Aberdeen issued a statement saying these views do not represent those of the institution and the comments are being reviewed "as a priority".
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