Story Highlight
– Nicola Sturgeon describes her arrest as life’s worst day.
– Police raided her home amidst SNP financial investigation.
– She reflects on miscarriage and guilt about pregnancy conflict.
– Sturgeon addresses unfounded rumors about her sexuality.
– Memoir “Frankly” to be published on August 14.
Full Story
Former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has reflected on her recent arrest as part of a police investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP), describing it as the most challenging day of her life. In excerpts from her forthcoming memoir, published in The Times, Sturgeon expresses her shock at the police search of her and her husband Peter Murrell’s home in April 2023 as part of Operation Branchform.
Sturgeon recounts the moment of the police raid, which took place early in the morning. “It was with a sense of utter disbelief that I realized the police were in my home, that they had a warrant to arrest my husband and search the house,” she wrote. The emotional toll of the experience was severe, leading her to describe a period of despair as she grappled with the unfolding situation. Later in June 2023, she was arrested but learned in March 2024 that she would not face further action and was no longer considered a suspect. In contrast, her husband faced charges of embezzlement a month later, and they announced their separation soon after.
Sturgeon conveyed that the experience felt surreal, akin to being in a dystopian narrative. The day of her arrest left her feeling “horrified and devastated,” yet she mentioned a strange sense of relief as the uncertainty ended. She spent a week with a friend in northeast Scotland following her release from police custody.
The complexities of her emotions were further highlighted when Sturgeon described the day she was informed that no charges would be brought against her, coinciding with Mr. Murrell’s court appearance. “The feeling of relief, and release, was overwhelming,” she noted.
In her memoir, Sturgeon also addresses personal aspects of her life, including her experience with pregnancy and miscarriage at age 40. While she had not longed for parenthood, her husband was eager to become a father. Sturgeon recalled Peter’s excitement upon learning of the pregnancy, and she expressed feelings of guilt over her conflicted mindset regarding the timing of the pregnancy amid her political ambitions. “By the Scottish election, I would be six months pregnant,” she reflected, acknowledging doubts about voter reactions to a heavily pregnant candidate.
The emotional aftermath included guilt surrounding her mixed feelings during pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage. Sturgeon describes working through severe pain and heartache. She believed the baby would have been a girl named Isla and expressed a deep sense of loss: “I do deeply regret not getting the chance to be Isla’s mum.”
The memoir also addresses speculation about her sexuality, particularly unfounded claims of an affair with a female French diplomat. Sturgeon recounted various stories circulating in the media, including absurd allegations involving a violent incident in a hotel. Although such gossip typically would have been dismissed, the impact on her community made it unavoidable.
Sturgeon indicated that much of the commentary on her sexuality was steeped in homophobia, stating, “For many of those peddling it, ‘lesbian’ and ‘gay’ are meant as insults.” While she acknowledged the discomfort caused by the falsehoods, she asserted, “Long-term relationships with men have accounted for more than thirty years of my life, but I have never considered sexuality… to be binary.” The memoir, titled “Frankly,” is set for release on Thursday, 14 August.
