Nicola Sturgeon has right 'to a private life' following divorce from Peter Murrell, says John Swinney
Nicola Sturgeon has "an entitlement to a private life" following her separation from Peter Murrell, the First Minister has said.
John Swinney described the end of the relationship between the former SNP leader and the party's ex-chief executive as a "very sad process".
He refused to be drawn on comments by the leader of the Scottish Conservatives on whether the timing of Sturgeon's announcement was linked to Operation Branchform.
Russell Findlay had used a Tory event in Edinburgh yesterday to claim the ex-first minister "doesn’t do very much at all without a reason".
The senior Conservative told reporters: "I've got a calculator on the phone that's perhaps less calculating than the former first minister. She doesn’t do very much at all without a reason. I guess it may well be connected to ongoing issues that are happening elsewhere. I guess time will soon tell."
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Swinney was in Stirling today to set out his determination to end the two-child cap on benefits. Speaking to journalists after the event, he insisted people in public life had a right to privacy.
Asked about Findlay's comments, Swinney said: "All I will say about this is - the end of any relationship is a very sad process, and of necessity, a private process. And I think those circumstances should be respected. I have nothing to say about Russell Findlay's comments."
The SNP leader added: "I just think we should respect people's privacy. However high profile people are in public life, they have an entitlement to a private life, and I think we should respect people's right to do so."
Asked if Findlay's comments had diminished him, Swinney responded: "I don't spend an awful lot of time in my life resting in my mind on whether Russell Findlay is diminished or enhanced."
Sturgeon announced her split from Peter Murrell, the ex-SNP chief executive, in a social media post on Monday.
The couple have been under investigation as part of a long-running police probe examining how more than £600,000 of donations to the SNP were ultimately spent.
Sturgeon, who was questioned by detectives in 2023 before being released without charge, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Murrell was arrested and charged with embezzlement last year. Prosecutors have yet to announce whether he will face trial.
Sturgeon used Instagram on Monday to announce her marriage with Murrell was over.
Under the heading 'Personal', 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's 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."
Sturgeon and Murrell have not been seen publicly together for almost two years.
The former first minister previously insisted her marriage was "not something anyone should worry about" after her shock resignation as First Minister in February 2023 following eight years in the job.
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