Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell announce divorce
- Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she and Peter Murrell had been separated for some time, indicating a long period of speculation regarding their relationship.
- Sturgeon announced their divorce on social media, expressing care for each other despite ending their marriage.
- The couple's split follows ongoing legal troubles for Murrell concerning alleged embezzlement of SNP funds.
In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, the country's former first minister, announced her divorce from husband Peter Murrell after over 20 years of marriage. Sturgeon confirmed the separation via an Instagram post, stating that they had been living apart for some time and felt it was important to inform the public about their situation. The couple, who met through the Scottish National Party (SNP), began their relationship in 2003 and married in July 2010. The announcement comes against a backdrop of legal troubles for both Sturgeon and Murrell. In April 2022, Murrell was charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of party funds during an investigation called Operation Branchform. Sturgeon herself was arrested in June 2023 alongside ex-party treasurer Colin Beattie, although both were released without charge. The police investigation into the SNP's financial activities has been ongoing since July 2021, focusing on £600,000 of donations intended for campaigns advocating Scottish independence. Sturgeon’s announcement followed months of speculation surrounding their marriage, and she described the decision to end their union as taken