University worker and trans activist sparks outrage over “bullet” threat and death wishes toward former MP Ann Widdecombe
A university employee has become the center of a national firestorm after a series of inflammatory and violent remarks targeting public figures and those holding opposing views on transgender issues. Heather Herbert, a trans-identified male employed at a university, was featured in a YouTube video alongside a friend identified as Poppybear Hackett, during which a chilling threat was made against those who do not “show love” to transgender individuals. In the video, originally broadcast in May 2026, Hackett explicitly claimed that such people should be “shown bullets”.
The footage was recently brought to light on the social media platform X by the feminist advocacy group “Women Won’t Wheesht,” triggering widespread condemnation. The revelation of this video follows a separate, highly controversial incident from last week, where Herbert posted social media comments celebrating the reported death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe following an alleged attack at her home. Herbert’s rhetoric went beyond simple political disagreement, as he explicitly stated that the news of Widdecombe’s death was “good news”.
In a series of particularly disturbing follow-up posts, Herbert expressed a desire for the former MP, Ann Widdecombe, to have suffered an “extremely painful death”. Further escalating the vitriol, he added, “And I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony”. These comments have sparked fury among the public and political commentators alike, as they represent a grave departure from civil discourse, instead bordering on the glorification of violence against a public servant.
The combination of the violent “bullet” jibe featured in the resurfaced YouTube video and the recent malicious comments regarding the death of Ann Widdecombe has placed immense pressure on the university employing Herbert. Critics are calling for immediate institutional action, arguing that such behavior is incompatible with the responsibilities of a university worker. The incident highlights an increasingly polarized landscape where online rhetoric is crossing the line into targeted harassment and the encouragement of physical harm.
As of now, the broader implications of these statements remain under scrutiny. The willingness to broadcast threats of lethal violence—even in a conversational context—alongside the celebration of a violent death, has intensified calls for accountability. The public outcry emphasizes a growing intolerance for rhetoric that advocates for harm against others, regardless of their political or social stances. For now, Herbert remains at the heart of an escalating controversy that has drawn lines between free expression and the incitement of violence, leaving the university to navigate the fallout of having a staff member associated with such extreme and harmful statements.
