Ex-Labour Candidate Investigated After Celebrating Ann Widdecombe's Death

Former Scottish Labour candidate Heather Herbert, a transgender web developer at the University of Aberdeen, is under multiple investigations after celebrating the death of former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe and endorsing violent rhetoric in a resurfaced video. Herbert posted on Bluesky on July 10, 2026 — one day after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her Devon home — hoping the former politician suffered an "extremely painful death." A resurfaced May 2025 video also shows Herbert nodding along as her friend Poppybear Hackett said "If people don't show love, show bullets." Police Scotland initially said no criminality was established but later announced further enquiries, and Herbert has since been arrested and charged. Meanwhile, a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham has been arrested on suspicion of murder and terrorism offences in connection with Widdecombe's death, which is being treated as a suspected murder and has been taken over by Counter Terrorism Policing. The Scottish Greens have also launched an investigation into Herbert due to her association with the party, and her Bluesky account has been suspended.