Nicola Sturgeon parties at red carpet event as SNP faces political chaos

Nicola Sturgeon was pictured at an LGBTQIA awards ceremony last night without her wedding ring - just days after her husband was arrested over SNP finances.

Despite the potential prosecution of her spouse, and political chaos surrounding her successor, she seemed in good spirits as she arrived at the red carpet event. She was spotted partying with pals Val McDermid, Joanne Sharp, and Hannah Bardell at last night's bash, which is part of Lesbian Visibility Week.

The 53-year-old was pictured alongside Bardell, the SNP MP for Livingston, crime writer McDermid, and her girlfriend, Jo Sharp, on the red carpet. She was also pictured alongside Publisher Linda Riley, who started the DIVA magazine in 1994, and launched the annual awards to celebrate the achievements of LGBTQIA women and non-binary people in 2017.

The event was held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, on London's Great Queen Street, where Sturgeon sported a fuchsia pink suit. She was clutching a black handbag in her left hand, with photographs showing that she appeared to be missing her wedding ring.

It comes after officers charged her husband, Peter Murrell, over allegedly embezzling funds from the ruling party, where he served as chief executive for 22 years. On April 18, he was arrested and taken to Falkirk Police Station, where he was grilled by detectives as part of Operation Branchform - Police Scotland's probe into the SNP's finances.

He then became the first and only person to be charged in connection with the investigation. The probe began in 2021 following concerns being raised over how £600,000 of cash earmarked for independence campaigning had been spent.

On April 19, Sturgeon was photographed returning to the marital home wearing her wedding ring. But the following day she left the property without the band, before talking to the members of the press in attendance.

She said: "There is absolutely nothing I can say given the circumstances. I'm now going to go a walk if that's alright with you.

"I know you’ve got jobs to do but can I ask you to maybe give my neighbours some peace. There is nothing going to be happening here.

"It’s incredibly difficult, but that’s not the main issue. I can’t say anymore, I’m not going to say any more.

"I hope you can appreciate that I'm quite a new driver, try not to distract me while I’m driving away."

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The former First Minister was herself arrested over the same police probe last year and released without charge. Last night was also the second time in a week she'd enjoyed a public outing with McDermid, Sharp and Bardell.

On Sunday, April 21, she enjoyed a day out at a football match with the trio. They attended the Scottish Women Football League (SWFL) League Cup Final in Alloa.

Sturgeon posted a few images on social media showing them with trailblazing former footballer Rose Reilly as they McDermid Ladies taking on Glenrothes Strollers.

Campaigner Peter Tatchell raved about the awards and founder Linda Riley in a post on X.

He said the awards were "celebrating huge contribution & achievement of women who love women in UK & globally" and added: "Linda & @DIVAmagazine have done more for lesbians than all their critics combined!"

This comes as Sturgeon's successor, Humza Yousaf, is fighting to stay in the SNP hotseat ahead of a no-confidence vote next week.
He has insisted he will not resign as First Minister and is confident he will win the ballot, which follows Thursday's collapse of his party's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.

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