Aberdeen University employee Heather Herbert, 50, has been arrested and charged in connection with online comments allegedly made after the death of former Conservative minister and Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe.
Widdecombe was found dead at her Dartmoor home on Thursday of last week. Police believe she was killed approximately 24 hours before her body was discovered.
A 28-year-old man was taken into custody on Saturday, three days after Widdecombe’s death. She had most recently served as a spokesperson for Reform UK.
Following her death, significant backlash arose over online posts that appeared to celebrate the politician’s passing. Police Scotland initially stated no criminality had been established.
Herbert’s comments were made before authorities confirmed they were treating the death as murder. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed a 50-year-old had been arrested and charged, with a report to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Widdecombe’s death has prompted widespread shock and grief across the political spectrum. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer expressed support for a permanent memorial to her in the House of Commons.
