Latest news with #OperationBranchform
Yahoo
2 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'.
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish independence support at 58 per cent if Nigel Farage becomes PM
A Norstat survey for The Sunday Times has suggested that the rise of Reform UK and the failings of the Labour government have helped to increase support for Scottish independence. Data from the poll, which was published Saturday evening, shows the Yes side has opened up an eight-point lead, sitting at 54%, when undecided voters are excluded. READ MORE: Police ignore watchdog's Operation Branchform forensics review offer The poll also showed that if Farage were to enter Downing Street and become prime minister, support for Scottish independence would be at 58%. It suggests that with Farage leading the UK, it would leave independence campaigners within touching distance of 60% support, which many believe would represent a tipping point, making a refusal to grant a second independence referendum unsustainable. Norstat survey comes with just days to go before the Holyrood by-election in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, where Scotland's First Minister John Swinney says the contest is between the SNP and Reform. Labour appears to be out of the running for the by-election following a disastrous campaign by their candidate, Davy Russell, in a blow to Anas Sarwar's dreams of success at next year's Holyrood elections. Norstat polling showed more woes for Sarwar and co, with fewer than one in five Scots planning to back Scottish Labour next year, in a devastating reversal of fortunes when the party won 37 seats in Scotland in the 2024 General Election. A third of Scots, 33%, said they would vote for SNP with their constituency vote, meanwhile 28% said they would back the party on the regional list. Both represent a drop of two points compared with Norstat's polling by The Times three months ago. However, according to projections by the polling expert John Curtice, a fracturing of the Unionist vote means the SNP remains on course to be comfortably returned as the largest party after next May's elections, with 54 of the devolved parliament's 129 seats. Labour would be the second largest party with 20 seats, while Reform would have 18, one ahead of the Conservatives, who would have 17. The Liberal Democrats would return 11 MSPs, up by five, and the Greens 9, a rise of two. (Image: Colin Mearns) On the recent polling figures, Curtice said: 'John Swinney is in pole position to remain Scotland's first minister after next year's Holyrood election. But his party is still struggling to recover from its sharp reversal of fortune last year. 'Key to the SNP's lead is the rise of Reform. Nigel Farage's party is now breathing down Labour's neck in the race for second place at Holyrood.'
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Independence support at 58 per cent if Nigel Farage becomes PM
A Norstat survey for The Sunday Times has suggested that the rise of Reform UK and the failings of the Labour government have helped to increase support for Scottish independence. Data from the poll, which was published Saturday evening, shows the Yes side has opened up an eight-point lead, sitting at 54%, when undecided voters are excluded. READ MORE: Police ignore watchdog's Operation Branchform forensics review offer The poll also showed that if Farage were to enter Downing Street and become prime minister, support for Scottish independence would be at 58%. It suggests that with Farage leading the UK, it would leave independence campaigners within touching distance of 60% support, which many believe would represent a tipping point, making a refusal to grant a second independence referendum unsustainable. Norstat survey comes with just days to go before the Holyrood by-election in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, where Scotland's First Minister John Swinney says the contest is between the SNP and Reform. Labour appears to be out of the running for the by-election following a disastrous campaign by their candidate, Davy Russell, in a blow to Anas Sarwar's dreams of success at next year's Holyrood elections. Norstat polling showed more woes for Sarwar and co, with fewer than one in five Scots planning to back Scottish Labour next year, in a devastating reversal of fortunes when the party won 37 seats in Scotland in the 2024 General Election. A third of Scots, 33%, said they would vote for SNP with their constituency vote, meanwhile 28% said they would back the party on the regional list. Both represent a drop of two points compared with Norstat's polling by The Times three months ago. However, according to projections by the polling expert John Curtice, a fracturing of the Unionist vote means the SNP remains on course to be comfortably returned as the largest party after next May's elections, with 54 of the devolved parliament's 129 seats. Labour would be the second largest party with 20 seats, while Reform would have 18, one ahead of the Conservatives, who would have 17. The Liberal Democrats would return 11 MSPs, up by five, and the Greens 9, a rise of two. (Image: Colin Mearns) On the recent polling figures, Curtice said: 'John Swinney is in pole position to remain Scotland's first minister after next year's Holyrood election. But his party is still struggling to recover from its sharp reversal of fortune last year. 'Key to the SNP's lead is the rise of Reform. Nigel Farage's party is now breathing down Labour's neck in the race for second place at Holyrood.'
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Police ignore watchdog's Operation Branchform forensics review offer
The Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) contacted the force and its oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in May 2023 – but has received no response. A former SNP MP, who wished to remain anonymous, told this paper: 'Police Scotland, as an independent police service, has no legal obligation to allow the Forensic Science Regulator to review its forensic activities during Operation Branchform. 'However, to demonstrate transparency, appropriateness and fairness of the investigative process, it would be in Police Scotland's and the public's interests for it to do so.' A forensic tent was erected in Sturgeon's garden when police raided her and former partner Peter Murrell's home near Glasgow in April 2023. Murrell was later charged with embezzlement and is expected to stand trial at a later date. Sturgeon was arrested two months after police searched her house but was later cleared. Sturgeon announced in January this year that she and Murrell had separated and were to divorce. Photographs of police tents outside the former first minister's home was described by some as a potentially era-defining image in Scottish politics. READ MORE: Shock to see forensic police tent in SNP probe, says Stephen Flynn The police investigation into the SNP was focused on £660,000 raised for a second independence referendum campaign since 2021. The FSR, part of the UK Government Home Office, has no official jurisdiction in Scotland. However, because there is not an equivalent body to oversee the use of forensic investigation in the country, its services can be used in Scotland, if Police Scotland or the SPA agree to a review. According to its website, the FSR 'ensures that the provision of forensic science services across the criminal justice system is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards'. (Image: Getty Images) The FSR contacted Police Scotland and the SPA after it was requested to do so by a member of the public, who is an SNP member and wishes to remain anonymous. In a statement to the Sunday National, the forensics watchdog shared its last piece of communication with the member of the public from January 2024: 'As the Forensic Science Regulator has no jurisdiction in Scotland he has raised this matter with Police Scotland on your behalf and has been waiting for a formal response from them. 'You may also like to pursue this matter through Police Scotland as unfortunately there is no formal action that the Regulator can take regarding activities carried out in Scotland.' A spokesperson for the SPA said: 'There are live criminal proceedings in this case and it would not be appropriate for the authority to provide comment in relation to it. I would refer to you Police Scotland in the first instance.' Police Scotland declined to comment.
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
How will Keir Starmer's insulting U-turns play with Scottish voters?
Probably not. Just a month back, Anas Sarwar's party was the bookies' favourite in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on June 5, prompted by the tragic death of former SNP minister Christina McKelvie. But a week ago Ladbrokes was offering 8/13 on an SNP victory with Labour second and Reform UK third. Then came Keir Starmer's Winter Fuel Payment U-turn at last week's Prime Minister's Questions. It was creaking, grudging and conditional, promising only to look at reversing cuts for some but not all pensioners in the autumn. There was no apology. No plausible explanation of the volte-face. But it happened. So, have voting intentions changed again in this volatile seat? There's been no fresh polling evidence, but Starmer's U-turn seems to have been drowned out by more local developments. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (left) and candidate Davy Russell (Image: Gordon Terris) Labour's candidate Davy Russell got an endorsement from Sir Alex Ferguson, but that was rapidly eclipsed by a weird photocall at a Larkhall go-karting centre where the candidate and Sarwar were pictured holding hands in separate go-karts they were not actually driving. As The Times wryly noted: 'Spin doctors doubtless had good grounds for fearing a 'Labour by-election crash' headline. But the alternative was hardly more appealing: 'Labour, going nowhere'.' That strange media launch followed Russell's surly refusal to join an STV debate with rival candidates on the grounds he'd 'rather be out chapping doors'. STV's political editor Colin Mackay observed that the broadcast was scheduled for 10.40pm and 'if he is chapping doors [at that time], he's likely to get chased'. Russell's no-show at another No Cuts Lanarkshire husting this week (along with Reform's Ross Lambie) prompted the Tory candidate to pull out. And heavily edited social media posts appear to confirm that Russell has no gift of the gab. How much of this filters through to voters? It's hard to say. READ MORE: By-election hustings chaos as Tory candidate walks out over Labour no-show But a party sometimes finds itself swimming against a powerful incoming political tide. The SNP faced one during the Rutherglen and Hamilton West Westminster by-election in October 2023, when Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as party leader hung over proceedings along with the Operation Branchform arrest, and the bad-tempered leadership contest. The outgoing former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier had been suspended from the Commons for breaching Covid restrictions, prompting Scotland's first recall petition which was signed by almost 15% of a seriously scunnered electorate. And, of course back in 2023, Labour were a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed opposition party promising big change. The night of his victory, Labour MP Michael Shanks was ecstatic, along with Scottish Labour heavyweights who had pretty well camped out in the constituency for months. They saw it as a bellwether seat – an indicator of victory in the forthcoming General Election. And they were not wrong. Labour retained the seat in Rishi Sunak's snap election last July when SNP numbers were whittled down from 48 to just nine MPs and Shanks quickly became an energy minister, touting the hard-to-spot GB Energy headquarters in Aberdeen as evidence of Labour's commitment to Scotland. Labour Energy Minister Michael ShanksLabour's honeymoon didn't last long thanks to the jaw-dropping Winter Fuel Payment betrayal, but amazingly it still looked set to win the accompanying Scottish Parliament seat, Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. But the earth-shaking English local elections seem to have changed everything here even though no Scottish council was involved. Why? Because Starmer suddenly looks like a loser who's put the UK on track to elect a right-wing demagogue who plans Trump 2.0 for Britain if he's elected in 2029. For many progressive Scots this is unthinkable. And it's happened on Labour's watch. Even if Reform's local victories have been oversold by a hysterical pro-Brexit press, those papers won't let up and that omnisceptic right-wing press will stoke the Farage electoral machine till they get their man over the line. So, since Labour was (weirdly) ahead in Hamilton despite the Winter Fuel Payment cuts, their reversal is hardly likely to be game-changing. Au contraire. READ MORE: John Curtice gives his verdict as Hamilton by-election looms Starmer's explanation for the Winter Fuel Payment u-turn is laughable and simply draws attention to the bad faith of the original decision, the automaton-like nature of the Labour leadership and the Chancellor's austerity-inducing insistence that her precious fiscal rules matter above all else. That policy has now clearly failed. But in the absence of an alternative, it still stalks the Commons like a zombie mantra. Why should Scottish voters back the same party – all at sixes and sevens–- in a Scottish Parliamentary election? Even if Starmer's Westminster Winter Fuel Payment U-turn impressed a few Hamilton voters, it won't get processed in time to help pensioners this winter. Six months, it seems are not enough to turn the creaking leviathan of the British state around. By contrast, the SNP's Scottish substitute payment – a means-tested alternative, providing some cash to all pensioners in Scotland – should be ready to roll by November. Compare and contrast. And Labour's welfare whoopsadaisy doesn't end with the Winter Fuel Payment payment. Starmer has apparently told Cabinet ministers he now wants to scrap the two-child benefits cap. 'It's the best and most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. The alternatives cost more and are less effective,' one anonymous minister said. For crying in a bucket. Everyone and their aunty has been screaming this at Starmer for the best part of a year and he's paid absolutely no attention. To hear this trite unapologetic statement of the bleedin' obvious now is worse than insulting. So, Holyrood and the SNP will likely get the credit for defending the vulnerable against a hard-faced Labour Westminster government forever badged as benefit snatchers just as Thatcher was forever badged a milk snatcher for ending free school milk. This kind of meanness sticks. And there's more. Labour MPs are now threatening to rebel over Labour's intention to cut disability benefits. How on earth can those cuts go ahead after U-turns on Winter Fuel Payment and the two-child cap? If they do go ahead it will be blatant persecution of the disabled. If they don't, Rachel Reeves's sacred fiscal rules are stone deid? Heads the SNP win, tails Labour lose. No part of its 'cruel to be kind' stance has lasted a single year. It makes Labour look rudderless, pointless and weak. And leaves the SNP looking pretty strong. After plenty of unforced policy errors, it looks like the SNP were as instinctively right on the Winter Fuel Payment and two-child benefit cap as Labour were instinctively wrong. And that doesn't get changed by a shabby, eleventh-hour U-turn. And what about Labour's sudden realisation that Israel's prime minister Netanyahu IS actually committing genocide in Gaza (maybe) – something the SNP's Stephen Flynn urged the Commons to recognise last February. READ MORE: Row erupts on BBC Debate Night over 'racist' Reform UK ad Once again, the SNP was instinctively right about something it has taken Labour one year and a horrific catalogue of deaths to (almost) accept. While continuing to rubberstamp weapons exports to Israel at three times the rate of the Tories, of course. I'd be amazed if stuttering, partial policy reversals help Labour win the Hamilton by-election next Thursday. But if they don't win that battle, might Scottish Labour yet win the war – the Scottish Parliament elections next May? As the last month demonstrates, party fortunes can change dramatically – but that's especially true for Scottish Labour whose fortunes north of the border are umbilically linked to personalities and policy decisions south of it. Turnout next week may be low, the SNP may struggle to inspire after two decades in power and a viable independence strategy looks as far off as ever. But with Reform snapping at Starmer's heels and the Tories out for the count, there's never been a better time for the SNP to push boldly forward.
