Scots trans uni worker CHARGED over Ann Widdecombe death posts
A SCOTS uni worker and trans activist has been charged over online posts about Ann Widdecombe’s death.
The ex-Conservative minister and TV star, 78, was found dead in her Dartmoor home last Wednesday.
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He was later re-arrested for the commission, preparation and commission of a terrorist act.
Police Scotland initially found there was no criminality around the posts, but later revealed “additional inquiries” were underway.
We also previously told how Aberdeen Uni – where Herbert works as a web developer – were also investigating the posts.
One post is alleged to have said they hoped the former Conservative MP “died a painful death.”
They also allegedly posted: “I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.”
In an update on Thursday, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received reports on Saturday 11 July 2026 relating to a post made online.
“Following further assessment, a 50-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection.
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
It comes as the family of the murder suspect were left reeling from his arrest – and insisted: “We just cannot think why anybody would do this.”
His stunned uncle branded Ann’s killing “a terrible tragedy” and paid tribute to the 78-year-old veteran politician for her “strident and principled” beliefs.
The accused’s relative, 73, who we are not naming for legal reasons, told The Sun: “I liked Ann because she was forthright.
“She called a spade a spade. She was strident and principled and that’s why people were so fond of her.
“Never in a million years did I think he would be linked to this.”
Armed cops swooped on the 28-year-old reclusive loner at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday night shortly after 9pm.
CCTV obtained by The Sun showed him leaving the address five hours before Ann is believed to have been battered to death at her home 270 miles away in Devon.
A pole described by neighbours as “a wooden baton” could be seen sticking out of the pocket of his cargo shorts.
He was caught on CCTV returning to the red-brick council house at 6pm that evening and is believed to have completed a 540-mile round trip to carry out the “targeted attack”.
Counter-terror cops have since taken overall charge of the investigation after his home and devices were forensically searched amid a growing belief Ann’s killing was politically motivated.
He was arrested on suspicion of her murder and later re-arrested for the commission, preparation and commission of a terrorist act.
The UK’s most senior counter-terror cop said there was evidence of “planning” behind the attack on Ann.
But Met Police Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terror Policing, said officers were still working to understand the motive.
Officers potentially have up to two weeks to hold the suspect in custody before charging or releasing him.
They are continuing to pursue “multiple lines of inquiry”.
Devon and Cornwall Police have defended their handling of the investigation after repeatedly insisting that there was no evidence it was politically motivated.