Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell to separate

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell have announced they have “decided to end” their marriage.  

The former first minister said they have been separated for some time in a social media post.  

Both have been at the centre of the ongoing Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s finances, Operation Branchform.

Murrell, who was the party’s chief executive for more than 20 years, was charged with embezzling party funds in April. 

Sturgeon was arrested and released without charge in June 2023 and has maintained her innocence throughout the investigation. 

She described the decision to end the marriage as having been taken “with a heavy heart”.

The former first minister posted on Instagram: “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.” 

Murrell and Sturgeon had been together since 2003 and were married in 2010.  

She said the couple would not comment further.  

Murrell resigned as chief executive of the SNP in March 2023, having taken over from Mike Russell in 1999.  

He resigned the role after taking responsibility for misleading the media about party membership figures.