Scotland’s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced she has split from her husband, Peter Murrell.
Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell met via the SNP in 1988 and first became a couple in 2003. They later married in July 2010 at Oran Mor in Glasgow.
Mr Murrell giving Ms Sturgeon a kiss after she was voted in as first minister in 2014. Pic: PA
In a statement posted on her Instagram story, she wrote: “With a heavy heart I am confirming that Peter and I have decided to end our marriage.
“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.
“We will be making no further comment.”
Ms Sturgeon announcing the split on Instagram
The couple have no children, though Ms Sturgeon revealed in 2016 that she had suffered a miscarriage in 2011, shortly before the Holyrood election campaign, saying it was “obviously a painful experience for Peter and I”.
Ms Sturgeon announced she was stepping down as Scotland’s first minister and SNP leader in February 2023 after succeeding Alex Salmond following the independence referendum in 2014.
Mr Murrell, who had been SNP chief executive since 1999, resigned from his post the following month after taking responsibility for misleading the media over party membership numbers amid the leadership race, which Humza Yousaf went on to win.
At the time, he said: “While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome.”
Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon at the official opening of…
