Nicola Sturgeon has stated that she was "not even considered for prosecution" as authorities investigated missing funds from the Scottish National Party (SNP). The former First Minister was arrested and questioned in June 2023 as part of Operation Branchform, an investigation that led to her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, being sentenced to prison.
Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, was sentenced to five years and three months in June after pleading guilty to embezzling over £400,000 from the party. Sturgeon, who was released from police custody without charge, declared she had been "totally cleared."
Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Sturgeon commented on the outcome of the "very stressful two-year investigation," asserting that she was "utterly cleared" and "not even considered for prosecution."
When asked about whether she should apologize for Murrell's actions, Sturgeon expressed deep regret that the situation had occurred but refused to apologize for crimes committed by another individual. "I have been a member of the SNP since I was 16 years old, the SNP is my extended family, I love it," she stated, reflecting on the personal impact of her ex-husband's actions. However, she maintained it was an "important point of principle" not to apologize for someone else's crimes, particularly noting that women are often made to take responsibility for the actions of men.
"I will always be accountable for my own actions, but I will not say sorry for somebody else’s mistakes, or in this case crimes," Sturgeon said.
During a discussion with former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Sturgeon also reflected on the differing standards applied to women in politics. "The reality is women in politics, in leadership, public life are treated differently. We are judged by different criteria," she observed. Sturgeon added that while attributes seen as strength in men are often viewed as character flaws in women, and that commentary on appearance is common, young women today face a far worse torrent of abuse, sexism, and misogyny due to social media.
Marin echoed these sentiments, noting that men are not typically asked how they can be leaders while also having young children at home, and that women are often judged through a "moral lens," which she described as a trap that hinders their success.