Aberdeen University has sought to distance itself from a member of staff who posted that he hoped Ann Widdecombe had screamed in agony when she died.
Heather Herbert, a web developer at a Scottish university, had reacted to early news of the politician’s death on her Bluesky account.
She wrote: “Some good news for once.
“I hope it was an extremely painful death.”
She added: “I hope she was handcuffed to the bed screaming in agony.”
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The posts, which have not been deleted, were made before police announced they were treating Miss Widdecombe’s death as a homicide.
Reached for comment on Saturday, she told student newspaper Gaudie: “I don’t want to see anyone killed, but I’m still glad she’s dead.”
‘I am not a hypocrite. I posted it before the murder investigation started,” she continued.
‘I am nobody. I have no power to do anything. Ann Widdecombe was able to and did make the lives of ordinary people hell.’
Aberdeen’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Edwards, said an investigation had been launched into her comments.
He said: ‘Ann Widdecombe was a highly respected figure in both Westminster and European parliaments.
“The University of Aberdeen does not tolerate violence or hateful behavior in any form.
“We are aware of the incident and the concerns that have been raised and are looking into this matter as a matter of priority.
University leaders have now issued a statement saying these views do not represent those of the institution and the comments are being considered ‘as a matter of priority’.
A statement posted on Facebook: ‘The University is aware of social media posts made by a member of staff regarding the death of Ann Widdecombe and is looking into this as a matter of priority.
“The comments shared are entirely those of the individual and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.
‘Complaints against any member of staff are dealt with confidentially through our established processes.’
The Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, Iona Fyfe, added on social media that she had received a significant number of emails regarding Herbert’s remarks, but stressed that she had no responsibility for the conduct of staff.
subway Herbert has been approached for comment.
Miss Widdecombe, 78, was suffered fatal injuries inside her remote home on Dartmoor when she did not respond to text messages and did not agree to a scheduled interview on Thursday.
Police investigating the alleged murder of a UK Reform spokeswoman have said they are “not looking for anyone else” after a 28-year-old man was arrested.
Assistant Police Chief Matt Longman, i Devon AND Cornwall Police said a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shortly after 9pm on Saturday with the support of Counter Terrorism Police.
MORE: Police are urging people to stop ‘disturbing’ speculation about Ann Widdecombe’s death
MORE: Nigel Farage believes Ann Widdecombe’s ‘murder’ was ‘premeditated’ as police theories emerge
