Nicola Sturgeon has split from husband Peter Murrell: 'We have been separated for some time now'

Nicola Sturgeon has made a big announcement regarding her marriage to former SNP executive Peter Murrell.

Nicola Sturgeon: Here's how she met her husband Peter Murrell
© Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon: Here's how she met her husband Peter Murrell
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The past few years have been turbulent for Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell. In February 2023, Sturgeon stepped down as First Minister of Scotland, citing personal reasons and a desire for new leadership.

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Shortly after, both she and Murrell became embroiled in controversy due to an ongoing investigation into the Scottish National Party's (SNP) finances. Murrell was arrested in April 2023 and later charged with embezzlement in 2024, accused of misappropriating £600,000 in donations meant for the party’s independence campaign. Sturgeon herself was arrested in June 2023 but released without charge and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Amid this turmoil, rumours arose about the state of their marriage, particularly after Sturgeon was seen without her wedding ring. However she silenced the speculation, and maintained that her relationship with her husband has remained steadfast in October 2023.

Now, she has revealed that that is no longer the case.

Nicola Sturgeon splits with husband Peter Murrell

Indeed, on 13 January, she revealed on social media that she and Murrell decided to end their marriage after almost 25 years. 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.

Who is Nicola Sturgeon's now ex-husband Peter Murrell?

Peter Murrell has been the chief executive officer of the SNP since 1999.

Born in Edinburgh in 1964, he attended Craigmount High School in the city and studied at the University of Glasgow before working his way through the ranks of the SNP.

It is known that at one point, he worked for former Scotland's FM Alex Salmond and was even partially credited with the SNP’s success in the elections in 2007.

In 2021, he was paid just under £80,000 for the party’s CEO role, and his responsibility was to look after the party’s finances. Murrel resigned on 17 March 2023, shortly after his wife Nicola Sturgeon announced her decision to quit.

In 2023 he was arrested by Scottish police in relation to the probe into the party's finances. He was then rearrested in April 2024 and charged 'in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National party', as per The Guardian.

How did Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell become a couple?

Nicola Sturgeon first met Murrell in 1988 when she was 18 years old. She was volunteering at Alex Salmond’s constituency office and attended an SNP youth camp organised by her future husband, then aged around 24. They didn’t become a couple until 2003.

The pair married in July 2010 in a civil ceremony in Glasgow’s West End, with guests including top Scottish politicians.

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Sources used:

- National World: 'Nicola Sturgeon's husband: who is Peter Murrell and how did they meet?'

- Tatler: 'Peter Murrell: everything you need to know about Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, arrested in SNP finance probe'

- The Scottish Sun: Nicola Sturgeon & husband Peter Murrell split as she confirms marriage has ended

Leaked footage of Nicola Sturgeon shows her issue harsh warning as SNP is now being investigated Leaked footage of Nicola Sturgeon shows her issue harsh warning as SNP is now being investigated