A university employee's comments about the death of Ann Widdecombe have sparked a public outcry, leading to an investigation by the institution. Heather Herbert, a member of staff at the University of Aberdeen, posted a statement on social media after Widdecombe's passing, expressing her lack of sadness over the politician's death.
Herbert told Metro that she had received many death threats since the post went viral but refused to delete it. She stated that while she didn't want to see anyone murdered, her feelings towards Widdecombe had changed due to the manner of her death.
The university has distanced itself from Herbert's comments, stating that they do not represent the views of the institution. A statement posted on Facebook read: "The comments that have been shared are entirely the individual's own and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen."
Aberdeen University rector Iona Fyfe emphasized that she has no responsibility over the behavior of staff, pointing out that complaints are handled confidentially through established processes.
Herbert pointed to Ann Widdecombe's own 2019 Oxford Union speech, in which she said that people should not be protected from offense or insults as part of living in society. Herbert suggested that the death threats she received from people who had previously called her names were "somewhat telling" about their intentions.
Regarding Herbert's post about Widdecombe being handcuffed to a bed "screaming in agony," Herbert explained that it was a story from when Widdecombe was prisons minister, and she had defended the shackling policy due to concerns about prisoners escaping.
University bosses have launched an investigation into Herbert's comments, and the institution has made it clear that it does not tolerate violence or hateful behavior in any form.
