Latest news with #ex-SNP
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Sturgeon tells politicians: 'Don't cosy up to Trump'
Her remarks came as the first extracts of her book were serialised in a newspaper. They touched on her arrest, her miscarriage and saw her address rumours about her sexuality. READ MORE At the event in Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church, Ms Sturgeon said there was a "sense of hopelessness" in politics across the world, which leaders such as Mr Trump and Refiorm UK's Nigel Farage had exploited. "There's a sense of despair," she said. "I think there is a sense that all the wrong people are in power — not here in Scotland — but there is a sense that the wrong people are taking the world in the wrong direction. "You've got people like Donald Trump trying to persuade people that the real challenge is not climate change, but the policies that are being pursued to try to tackle climate change. "And that's just one example of many. "You know, people like Trump and Farage here in the UK, they've tapped into the fact that people are feeling disillusioned, really struggling financially, feeling a sense of hopelessness. "And they are managing as things stand to persuade people that the cause of these problems are immigrants and gay people or trans people." She said they were "selling utter snake oil as the solution, all to try to distract from the fact that they are part of the problem." "What's the problem? The wealthy are hoarding too much of the wealth and power and influence in our country," she added. Ms Sturgeon criticised Sir Keir Starmer for "trying to outdo Nigel Farage on immigration" and said he "should have the guts to stand up and say why the country needs immigration, why it's good for the country to be diverse. Why our economy needs people to come from other countries." "So I think the antidote to the hopelessness is to offer people hope and to offer people the vision of a better future and a better country. I hope we can do that here in Scotland. I hope my party continues to do that, but we need more of that across the UK and across the world. "Let's not try and cosy up to Donald Trump. Let's take on Donald Trump and his like and beat their hopelessness with hope." Earlier this month, the Scottish Government announced funding for the 2025 Nexo Championship, which is currently taking place at the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. Mr Swinney spent around 75 minutes with the President during his visit to Scotland. Earlier this week, at The Herald's Unspun Live event at the Fringe, Mr Swinney was asked if he liked Mr Trump. He said he had "a very pleasant and courteous exchange with President Trump for most of our time together." In her book, which has been serialised by the Times, Ms Sturgeon described the day she was arrested as "the worst day of my life" and said she may never get over the experience. Her estranged husband, ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was arrested as part of a police investigation into the party's finances. He was later re-arrested and charged in connection with alleged embezzlement of party funds. Ms Sturgeon, along with former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie, was also arrested and released without charge pending further inquiries. Earlier this year she announced she and Murrell had "decided to end" their marriage. She writes of her "utter disbelief" when police raided the couple's home. She said she lived for weeks in dread of being detained. "I woke up at the crack of dawn every day, having barely slept… wondering if this would be the day it happened," she writes. When it did, on June 11, 2023, she felt "horrified and devastated" but also "relieved in a strange sort of way". After her release, Ms Sturgeon sought refuge at a friend's home in the north-east during a heatwave. " 'I badly needed peace and quiet, time to piece myself back together. I spent hours, looking out across the North Sea. 'At first, I wanted to somehow disappear into its vastness. Slowly but surely, though, the sea calmed me. As I watched the tide go in and out, I thought about the people who might have sat there a century ago, watching the same tides, feeling that they too had the weight of the world on their shoulders, and of those who would do so again, decades from now. 'It gave me some perspective.' The investigation into her ended only when Mr Murrell was charged in March this year. She also addresses persistent social media rumours about her sexuality and an alleged "secret relationship" with the French ambassador. The claims, she says, moved from "the darker recesses of social media" into public gossip by early 2020, with one neighbour even raising it with Mr Murrell. A Guido Fawkes tweet that month alleged a super-injunction was in place to suppress the story. "I was furious. It was a blatant lie," she writes. "Not only was there no superinjunction in place, but such a legal remedy isn't even available in Scots law.' Ms Sturgeon says the rumours were rooted in "blatant homophobia" but that the insult itself "was water off a duck's back". While she has spent more than 30 years in relationships with men, she adds: "I have never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary… sexual relationships should be private matters." Speaking at the Govanhill Book Festival, Ms Sturgeon said her memoir was her attempt to tell her story "in my own words" after more than 20 years at Holyrood, including nine as Scotland's first minister. She admitted to feeling "slightly terrified" ahead of publication because of its personal content, but stressed: "Everything I wrote, I wrote intentionally." She also insisted she has no plans for a second autobiography — "There is no volume two in my memoir" — but did not rule out trying her hand at a political thriller one day, joking there might be "too many people I want to kill" for one novel. "There would be too many murders for one book. It could maybe be a series I suppose."
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Nicola Sturgeon: 'I have never considered my sexuality to be binary'
In the extract, Ms Sturgeon talks about a rumour that swept social media in 2020 which claimed she was having a single-sex affair with the French ambassador to the UK, Catherine Colonna. She said that the story, which was fake, was fuelled by 'blatant homophobia' - and that she and Ms Colonna had laughed about during a meeting of EU ambassadors in the Scottish government's London office – even going as far as being photographed together to 'troll the trolls'. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna (Image: Natacha Pisarenko) She wrote: 'For many of those peddling it, 'lesbian' and 'gay' are meant as insults. However, while the fact I was being lied about got under my skin, the nature of the insult itself was water off a duck's back. However, Ms Sturgeon admitted the gossip had got under her skin, but only because it was fake – being labelled a lesbian was 'water off a duck's back'. 'Long-term relationships with men have accounted for more than thirty years of my life, but I have never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary. Ms Sturgeon also writes candidly about her reaction to her arrest under the Operation Branchform probe into the SNP 's finances, and the anguish of her miscarriage at age 40. In the extract, she says that her arrest on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at her home in Uddingston, on the outskirts of Glasgow, was the "worst day of her life". The ex-SNP Politician details how she lived with the dread of being arrested after her husband, Peter Murrell - who has since been charged with embezzlement - was arrested in April of that year. She writes that life felt like a "dystopian novel" which left her in "despair", with the UK's media camped on her her doorstep. She writes: "I was struggling to comprehend what had happened. It didn't help that a few hours later what seemed like the entirety of the UK's media was camped outside. "For days, I didn't step out the front door. I had only just started to recover a sense of equilibrium when another bombshell dropped. "On April 19, the SNP's Treasurer, Colin Beattie, was also arrested. The media was full of speculation that, as party leader, I would be next." Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaking to reporters after Police Scotland ended its investigation following her arrest in 2023 (Image: PA) Ms Sturgeon adds: "Being arrested and questioned by the police is an experience I'm not sure I will ever get over. "When I eventually left the police station, late that afternoon, I was in a bad state mentally. I went to a friend's house in the northeast of Scotland and stayed for a week. It was during a heatwave, and yet I was stuck inside, terrified that the media would find me. "I badly needed peace and quiet, time to piece myself back together. I spent hours, looking out across the North Sea. At first, I wanted to somehow disappear into its vastness." However, she writes that she later gained perspective and returned home. But the two-year investigation took its toll. She writes: "I was frightened. The rational part of my brain told me that as I had done nothing wrong, there could, by definition, be no evidence to the contrary. "But the longer it dragged on, the more scared and paranoid I became. I worried that the 'system' might reach the conclusion that I was guilty of something. Or, at the very least, that I would be forced to prove my innocence in court." Police officers attend the home of Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon on April 5, 2023 (Image: PA) She adds: "I felt embarrassed, ashamed even. Not because of anything I had actually done, but because of what many people would suspect I had done. I accept that the police and Crown Office were doing their jobs. "I retain both faith in and respect for our country's criminal justice system. However, none of that changes this fact: being the subject of a high-profile criminal investigation for almost two years, especially having committed no crime, was like a form of mental torture." The former First Minister was cleared of all charges in March this year - though her husband is due to stand trial at a later date. In January this year, Ms Sturgeon announced she and Murrell had "decided to end" their marriage. In he extract, Ms Sturgeon also talks of her anguish over losing her baby - which she believed would be a daughter who would have been named Isla - in 2010. She writes: "I was desolate and heartbroken for myself, but more so for Peter. I was consumed by guilt all over again, convinced that it was all my fault, that the stress of worrying about the impact on the election had caused the miscarriage; that I was being punished for not wanting the baby badly enough, for having even wished it away. These feelings have never quite left me. "But I do deeply regret not getting the chance to be Isla's mum. It might not make sense, but she feels real to me. And I know that I will mourn her for the rest of my life."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon planning to write 'political thriller' with 'murder on every page'
The former first minister has spoken of her dream of writing a work of fiction just days before her memoir is published. Nicola Sturgeon has revealed her ambition to write a novel when she retires from frontline politics next year - and joked it could feature a "murder on every page". The former first minister revealed the plans for her next publishing venture just days before her memoir, Frankly, is published. Sturgeon, who is standing down as an MSP in 2026, was speaking today as a guest at the Women of the World (WOW) show at the Edinburgh Fringe. The ex-SNP leader has become something of a regular on stage in recent months as she steps up the promotional campaign for her political memoir. "I still have lots of ambition to go out and do different things. My biggest ambition now is to see if I've got, and I don't know whether I do, the ability to write a novel," she said in remarks first reported by STV. The outgoing MSP admitted her future novel 'may never see the light of day' but added it would likely be some kind of political thriller. She quipped: "The problem is there are too many people I'd want to kill. There'd be a murder on every second page." Sturgeon also revealed to the audience she had recently been tattooed for the first time. "Here's an ambition I've always had that I've fulfilled recently,' she said. "I got a tattoo. When I phoned my mother to tell her, she thought I was kidding.' She described the wrist tattoo as an infinity symbol with an arrow on the end. "It's a symbol of strength. It means something to me," she added. It comes as Sturgeon is set to appear on a primetime TV interview next week to promote her memoir. The former first minister will be grilled by ITV News stalwart Julie Etchingham for a special programme that will be broadcast at 7pm on August 11. Sturgeon's book, Frankly, hits the shops on August 14. Sturgeon has declared nearly £200,000 in outside earnings since standing down from the top job in Scottish politics. Her book, Frankly, is expected to lift the lid on her nine years as Scotland's leader and the breakdown of her friendship with the late Alex Salmond. According to her Holyrood register of interest, she received £75,000 in 2023 from publishers Pan Macmillan for the first of four instalments of a book advance. Other income, including a recent £76,500 second book payment made via her literary agent and fees for book reviews, was paid to her personal company. Nicola Sturgeon Ltd also received £25,000 from broadcaster ITN after the former SNP leader appeared on a general election night results show. To coincide with publication of her book, fans of Sturgeon are being charged £75 to attend a 'meet and greet' with her later this year ahead of an interview in Edinburgh.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Talented politician Kate Forbes achieved more in 10 years than many do in a lifetime, says ex-SNP spin doctor
KATE EXIT Talented politician Kate Forbes achieved more in 10 years than many do in a lifetime, says ex-SNP spin doctor Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT is an odd thing to be writing a political obituary for a 35-year-old. But yesterday morning Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stunned the world of Scottish politics by announcing she will not seek re-election next May. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Kate Forbes, pictured with First Minister John Swinney at Holyrood, has announced she is stepping down Credit: PA While it may appear to many observers as a bolt from the blue, it is not a decision the ever-thoughtful MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch will have reached without a great deal of soul-searching and careful consideration. The deliberate words she selected to explain her decision in an open letter to the First Minister should be taken at face value. It's a tough balancing act between ministerial office and the commitment of a young family based 150 miles from Holyrood. Nobody is likely to begrudge a mother more time to enjoy the 'precious early years of family life' with wee Naomi, her daughter, who turned three yesterday. What will have been a difficult decision for Kate now raises some even tougher questions for our politics. As the party's head of communications and research, I first encountered Kate at a SNP candidate selection day in 2015. Of the dozens of wannabe parliamentarians being assessed to stand for election, she stood out by a country mile. She was fiercely intelligent, if a bit swotty. A natural communicator, more polished than many longstanding MSPs. And she was driven by a sense of duty to serve. She flourished as a new backbencher from 2016 to 2018 — as a team player within a parliamentary group of MSPs, and an inquisitorial committee member. She was someone clearly unafraid to think for herself, championing national and constituency causes on a range of issues: economic, cultural and environmental. Kate Forbes picks her biggest scandal of the SNP's time in power It came as no surprise that Nicola Sturgeon elevated her to junior finance minister in her 2018 reshuffle, a calling she undertook diligently, quickly impressing the business community. Her ability to step up to deliver a Scottish Budget mere hours after the resignation of Finance Secretary Derek Mackay in February 2020 — the first woman to do so in the Scottish Parliament — thrust her into the limelight. Days later, the finance brief in Cabinet was deservedly hers to keep. She held this post through the toughest of times, navigating the nation's finances and support for businesses through a global pandemic. In the 2021 election she was returned to Holyrood with the largest majority of any MSP on 56 per cent of the vote and in July 2022 she blazed another trail in becoming the first Cabinet secretary in the Government to take maternity leave. 2 Ex-SNP spin doctor says Kate Forbes can be proud of her time in politics Credit: Alamy Kate returned to the political fray with her eyes set on the top job, after Ms Sturgeon resigned as First Minister in 2023. She was pipped at the post by Humza Yousaf in a bruising leadership battle and then, just a year later, became John Swinney's deputy in exchange for her support for his leadership. Despite effectively being the runner-up in two leadership contests — one fiercely fought, the other de facto — she emerged a political winner with her head held high. It's a rare thing to announce your departure from the political arena with a reputation intact — she has regularly been polled as Scotland's most popular politician, with approval ratings generally higher among the population as a whole than within the SNP rank and file. It's no secret Kate has at times felt thwarted in realising her ambitions for Scotland in government. Her focus on economic growth, creating good jobs in communities from the Borders to Benbecula, has proved more challenging than should ever have been the case. More broadly, we can undoubtedly do better by our young, talented, female MSPs. Some of that is practical and should be urgently addressed by all parties. Kate herself lambasted the lack of creche facilities for young mothers in political life back in 2023 and colleagues such as Aileen Campbell and Gail Ross also quit to spend more time with their young families. While Holyrood has few late-night sittings like Westminster, the rigours of ministerial office and constituency work mean it's more than a full-time job, with little time left for family. Scotland's geography is a challenge, but our outdated transport infrastructure doesn't help. The torrent of hateful abuse directed at politicians has grown exponentially over recent years. Female politicians receive a disproportionate share of that bile, much of it laden with misogyny. Kate faced the slings and arrows of public opinion for her deeply-held Christian faith, including from within her own party, which challenged the fundamentals of just how tolerant a Scotland we live in today. But in a decade in politics, Kate has achieved more than many could hope to achieve in a lifetime. I dearly hope to see her return. Meanwhile, work must be done to make our politics a hell of a lot better. Fergus Mutch is a former SNP head of communications and is now managing partner of advisory firm True North.
Glasgow Times
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Sturgeon agrees to TV interview ahead of memoir release
The former First Minister will be grilled by ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham for a special programme that will be broadcast at 7pm on August 11. Ms Sturgeon's book, Frankly, hits the shops on August 14. The interview will focus on the memoir's most striking revelations, delving into the ex-SNP leader's successes and controversies, personal insights and political flashpoints. It is being produced by the ITV News team responsible for previous key political interviews with former Prime Ministers David Cameron in 2019 and Boris Johnson last year. READ NEXT: Glasgow restaurant announces 'closure' - here's exactly why READ NEXT: 'First-ever' market event to be held in busy area in August Etchingham said: "Nicola Sturgeon is quite simply one of the stand-out politicians of a generation. From her rise as a working class girl to the pinnacle of Scottish politics as first female First Minister, she has charted dizzying political heights to being hailed the most dangerous woman in Britain. In what I hope will be a revealing encounter, I can't wait to see how Nicola Sturgeon lifts the lid on her politics, life and legacy - and to find out where she heads next.' Sturgeon has declared nearly £200,000 in outside earnings since standing down from the top job in Scottish politics. Her book, Frankly, is expected to lift the lid on her nine years as Scotland's leader and the breakdown of her friendship with the late Alex Salmond. According to her Holyrood register of interest, she received £75,000 in 2023 from publishers Pan Macmillan for the first of four instalments of a book advance. Nicola Sturgeon's book will detail the breakdown of her friendship with Alex Salmond (Image: PA) Other income, including a recent £76,500 second book payment made via her literary agent and fees for book reviews, was paid to her personal company. Nicola Sturgeon Ltd also received £25,000 from broadcaster ITN after the former SNP leader appeared on a general election night results show. To coincide with publication of her book, fans of Ms Sturgeon are being charged £75 to attend a 'meet and greet' with her later this year ahead of an interview in Edinburgh. The fee is on top of ticket prices for the event at the 2200 capacity Usher Hall which stretch to £73.95 including the booking fee. In an Instagram post, she plugged an 'evening with Nicola Sturgeon' in the Capital in which she would reflect on her career in politics. Sturgeon, who is standing down from Holyrood next year, has been accused of being a part-time MSP since resigning as FM, with critics hitting out at her attendance record.
