Nicola Sturgeon news, interviews and updates on the former first minister

Yahoo

2 days ago

NICOLA Sturgeon is a former first minister of Scotland who served from 2014 to 2023.
Sturgeon is Scotland's longest-serving first minister and made history as the first woman in Bute House.
During her time in politics, she held a range of positions within the Scottish Government.
She was first elected to Holyrood in 1999 and joined the SNP at the age of 16.
Born in Irvine in 1970, Sturgeon worked as a solicitor at Drumchapel Law Centre before becoming an MSP, having graduated with a law degree from the University of Glasgow.
Read on for all the latest Nicola Sturgeon news, interviews and updates on the former first minister.
As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest Nicola Sturgeon news stories.
Sturgeon: Law may need to change after Supreme Court ruling
Hunter: SNP should look to low tax Singapore for inspiration
Nicola Sturgeon: Prime Minister's immigration comments 'dumb politics'
Nicola Sturgeon thanked her friends and supporters during an event at Glasgow's King's Theatre on March 22, saying she 'wouldn't have got through' the past two years without their help.
The former First Minister's comments came just two days after she was cleared of any wrongdoing in Police Scotland's long-running investigation into SNP finances, known as Operation Branchform.
Nicola Sturgeon during a devolution event in Edinburgh (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
Sturgeon was speaking at the Glasgow Comedy Festival, where she appeared in conversation with acclaimed crime writer Val McDermid. The pair were recieved a standing ovation as they walked on stage to The Who's I'm Free.
Nicola Sturgeon announced in an Instagram post her decision to step down as an MSP from Holyrood at the 2026 elections.
She said she would not seek re-election next May.
Nicola Sturgeon was born on 19 July 1970 in Dreghorn, North Ayrshire, and is 54 years old.
She was previously married to Peter Murrell, the SNP's former chief executive. The couple met in 1988 at an SNP youth weekend and married in the summer of 2010.
On 13 January, Sturgeon announced their separation, revealing they had 'been separated for some time.' In an Instagram post, she wrote: 'With a heavy heart, I am confirming that Peter and I have decided to end our marriage.'
Nicola Sturgeon with Peter Murrell (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire) "To all intents and purposes we have been separated for some time now and feel it is time to bring others up to speed with where we are.
"It goes without saying that we still care deeply for each other, and always will."
Sturgeon is the eldest of two siblings. Her younger sister, Gillian, previously worked as an NHS nurse before later becoming a tarot card reader. Gillian has claimed their parents were subjected to 'abuse' following Sturgeon's resignation as First Minister.
Sturgeon shares a close friendship with crime writer Val McDermid, who publicly showed her support after the former First Minister was cleared of any wrongdoing in the police investigation into the SNP's finances.
Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Sturgeon was also close to Scottish comedian Janey Godley, who rose to viral fame during the pandemic with her humorous voiceovers of the First Minister's coronavirus briefings.
Godley passed away in 2024 at the age of 63, following a long battle with ovarian cancer.
Sturgeon shared an emotional tribute to the late comedian in an Instagram post.
'Knowing for the past few weeks that this moment was fast approaching didn't make it any less heartbreaking to hear the news early this morning that Janey had died.
'Janey Godley truly was a force of nature, and one of the funniest people I have ever known.'
Nicola Sturgeon served in senior roles within the SNP and Scottish Government.
She was first elected as a regional MSP for Glasgow in 1999 and remained in this position until 2007 when she became the MSP for Glasgow Govan.
When this seat was abolished, she went on to represent Glasgow Southside in the 2011 election.
As well as her work as MSP and First Minister, Sturgeon held several senior positions within both the SNP and the Scottish Government.
She served as the cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing from 2007 to 2012, then as the cabinet secretary for infrastructure, capital investment, and cities until 2014.
She was the depute leader of the SNP from 2004 to 2014 and deputy First Minister from 2007 to 2014.
Nicola Sturgeon served as Scotland's first female First Minister for more than eight years, making her the longest-serving First Minister in the Scotland's history.
She started her term on November 20, 2014, after Alex Salmond resigned following the 2014 independence referendum.
Despite losing her majority in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, she formed a minority government and secured a second term.
In the 2021 election, the SNP fell one seat short of a majority.
They later announced the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens, creating a pro-independence majority at Holyrood.
Sturgeon led Scotland through significant events, including the Brexit vote in 2016 and the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was also in charge when Scotland's gender reform legislation passed, although this was later blocked by the UK Government.
She stepped down from her position as first minister in 2023.
Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation on February 15, 2023.
She stepped down as both Scotland's first minister and SNP leader.
She hinted that the "brutality" of modern political life played a significant role in her decision.
In her resignation speech, Sturgeon said: "In my head and heart I know my time is now.
"Today I am announcing my intention to stand down as first minister and leader of my party."
Her departure led to Humza Yousaf taking the helm.
Humza Yousaf (Image: Jane Barlow/PA)However, Yousaf later resigned after dismantling the Bute House Agreement.
He was succeeded by John Swinney, who had previously served as Sturgeon's deputy for several years.
Nicola Sturgeon was arrested in connection with the probe into SNP finances after stepping down as first minister.
The former SNP leader was taken into custody and later released without charge.
Her ex-husband, Peter Murrell, who was the former SNP chief executive, has been charged with embezzling party funds and was taken into custody for questioning.
After her arrest, Sturgeon said she is innocent "beyond doubt" and said she was "just getting on with life as best I can."
Nicola Sturgeon has said she remains "as confident as ever" about Scottish independence.
Failing to convince Scots to back independence was, she told The Herald, the biggest regret in her 27-year Holyrood career.
I asked Nicola Sturgeon what unfinished business she'll look back on in her dotage and wished she'd achieved. pic.twitter.com/ZmDVbpxYUE
— Andrew Learmonth (@andrewlearmonth) March 12, 2025
Nicola Sturgeon: 'I've dedicated my life to trying to make Scotland a better place'
Reflecting on Scotland's 10-year journey since the 2014 referendum, Sturgeon — who served as Alex Salmond's deputy during the campaign — wrote in the Daily Record:
"Progress can sometimes feel glacial until suddenly it is not. I believe the same will be true of Scotland's journey to independence. I am as confident as ever that we will get there, and sooner than might seem likely right now."
Alex Salmond (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Sturgeon had previously announced plans for a second referendum on October 19, 2023.
However, this required formal consent from the UK Government, leading to a UK Supreme Court hearing on whether Holyrood could legally legislate for a referendum without Westminster's approval.
The court concluded that the Scottish Parliament could not hold a referendum without the consent of Westminster.
Sturgeon recently revealed the title and release date of her memoirs.
She announced on Instagram on March 19 as pre-orders for the book opened.
She said her memoirs will be open and candid about her 'mistakes and heartbreaks' as well as her 'triumphs'.