Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, is facing criticism from another former aide over her recent public commentary on John Swinney's election strategy and other party matters. Kate Higgins, who served as a special adviser under Sturgeon, stated she is "bewildered" by the former First Minister's interventions during her book tour and in paperback editions of her autobiography.
Higgins joined others within the Scottish National Party (SNP) who have condemned Sturgeon's recent public statements. Concerns were previously raised by Liz Lloyd, Sturgeon's former chief of staff, who described Sturgeon's criticism of Swinney's election strategy as "not well thought through."
Higgins, who recently concluded an 11-year tenure as a special adviser, also commented on Sturgeon's public dispute with former SNP MP Joanna Cherry and author J.K. Rowling. Higgins suggested that Sturgeon, Cherry, and Rowling should observe a period of silence.
"I cannot begin to imagine the pain you feel at Peter’s personal betrayal of you as his wife, and professionally, as the chief executive of the party you have given much of your adult life to," Higgins wrote, referencing Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell's embezzlement case. "But all of us in the SNP - especially the longstanding members - feel some of that pain too. To have you play it out publicly just makes it harder for the party to put this shameful episode in our long history behind us."
Higgins questioned Sturgeon's rationale for attacking Swinney and the party's recent campaign. "Why you think that the SNP’s fortunes and trust in an SNP government might be enhanced by you attacking John Swinney and the party’s most recent election campaign is bewildering," Higgins stated. She added that Swinney's decision to lead the party, which she described as coming at "significant personal sacrifice," prevented electoral defeat.
Sturgeon had previously responded to a question about Cherry's book, which alleges a plot to oust Alex Salmond, by stating she had "no interest" in reading it. Sturgeon also described Rowling, a critic of her gender reforms, as "obsessed" with her.
Joanna Cherry, in turn, criticized Sturgeon's language and accused her of not being open about her sexuality. Cherry stated that Sturgeon's approach to running the party and the country was marked by "misgovernance and ineptitude."
Higgins, in her online blog, described the ongoing public exchanges as "tedious" and suggested that such "tit for tat" serves only the SNP's opponents and those who oppose Scottish independence. She stated that she did not care about Sturgeon's sexuality and that a majority of party members rejected Cherry's claims in favor of Sturgeon.
Responding to Higgins' comments, Cherry characterized them as displaying a "casual attitude towards the facts" typical of SNP special advisers appointed due to "blind loyalty rather than ability." Cherry maintained she was proud to have questioned what she termed "misgovernance and ineptitude" under Sturgeon's leadership, suggesting that if more had spoken out, Murrell might not have been able to "steal members donations and Scotland might be a little closer to independence."