Latest news with #GlasgowComedyFestival
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nicola Sturgeon news, interviews and updates on the former first minister
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. — 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'.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I survived two strokes in my twenties says Rutherglen woman
A Rutherglen woman is celebrating 20 years since she survived two strokes by hosting a a comedy show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Colette Boyd, who suffered the strokes in her late twenties, is marking the milestone by performing at The Griffin on March 25. The 48-year-old's show is titled A F.A.S.T 20 Years and is described as "a celebration of life, laughter, and momentous events". She took up stand-up comedy in 2023 and is now using humour to celebrate the milestone. Her show aims to raise funds for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. Colette shared how her self-deprecating humour helped her deal with the challenges of being a young stroke survivor and improved her mental health. She said: "I had my first stroke when I was 28 and then I had my second stroke when I was 29. "I'd read at the time that most stroke survivors don't live past 20 years after their stroke. "I assume that's because people that have strokes are older when they have them. "I always thought I'd have a party when I got to 20 years. "When I started doing stand-up comedy I was telling my friend, who also does stand-up, that I'd have a party. "He suggested I put on a gig during the International Comedy Festival instead and I thought it was a great idea." Colette will be performing alongside comedians Jimi Longmuir, Tattoo Dave, and Patrick Rolink. She added: "When I decided to do the show I knew I couldn't fill an hour myself so I put a call out asking if anyone wanted to get involved. "Patrick has had a stroke more recently and has been involved with CHSS. "The other comedians have had family members affected by heart disease so it worked out well to host it for CHSS given it's a Scottish charity." Tickets for the show can be purchased from the Glasgow Comedy Festival's website. For support and information on chest, heart, stroke conditions or Long Covid, contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Advice Line.
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Nicola Sturgeon to make comedy debut at Glasgow festival
Nicola Sturgeon is to make her debut at a leading comedy festival, two days after being cleared by a police investigation into embezzlement claims in the former first minister and the crime author Val McDermid will appear at the King's Theatre in Glasgow later, for a performance called Books and duo will be joined by actor, writer and comedian Ashley Storrie - the daughter of Sturgeon's late friend Janey Godley - and the novelist Christopher Thursday Ms Sturgeon said she was "relieved" and felt "a bit of vindication" after police confirmed she was no longer a suspect in their long-running investigation into the SNP's finances - called Operation Branchform. 'Revelations galore' Her estranged husband Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, appeared on the same day at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he made no plea to a charge of couple announced they had separated and planned to end their marriage earlier this Glasgow Comedy Festival appearance was first announced last November and comes after she previously held a number of "in conversation with" events across the country with Ms event synopsis says the duo and their guests will be discussing a shared passion for literature and chat about books they have "loved and loathed".Announcing the show, Ms McDermid and Ms Sturgeon previously said: "Revelations galore await as we explore the love and laughter between the covers."Despite the mention of revelations, it is unlikely the former SNP leader, who served as Scotland's first minister for nine years from 2014 until 2023, will discuss anything relating to the Operation Branchform was arrested and then released without charge in June 2023, and on Thursday said there had been a "cloud of investigation" hanging over her since to journalists outside her Glasgow home she said: "I think it won't surprise anybody to hear me say that has not been an easy experience. So to reach this point today is obviously something I am relieved about."I have done nothing wrong, and I don't think there was ever a scrap of evidence that I had done anything wrong."Ms Sturgeon announced earlier this month she would not stand for re-election in the 2026 Holyrood election, but on Friday first minister John Swinney said he would "look forward" to her campaigning efforts for the SNP in the comments came after Ms Sturgeon spent time helping her election agent, Mhairi Hunter, win a by-election for a seat on Glasgow City Council this week.
