Police Investigation Described as "Mental Torture" by Nicola Sturgeon in Memoir, Discussing Her Personal Matters Including Sexuality and Miscarriage
Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, has written a new memoir titled "Frankly" that will be published on Thursday. In this book, she shares her experiences of a police investigation that she described as "mental torture" and "the worst day of my life."
The investigation was linked to the embezzlement charges against her ex-husband, Peter Murrell, involving £660,000 missing from Scottish National Party accounts. Sturgeon was eventually told on March 20, 2025, that she would face no further action, bringing her an "overwhelming" sense of relief after nearly two years under investigation.
Sturgeon candidly addresses a personal tragedy in her memoir as well. In 2010, she suffered a miscarriage, which she discovered while receiving a flu jab on December 30 of that year. Despite severe pain, she continued working, even attending a memorial event for the Ibrox disaster anniversary.
The memoir also touches upon the rumors of an affair with a female French ambassador to the UK. Sturgeon responds to these in the context of her views on sexuality, affirming she has had long-term relationships with men but never considered sexuality binary and emphasizing that sexual relationships should be private matters.
Throughout the book, Sturgeon reflects on the emotional and mental toll during the investigation period, including anxiety and dread. She shares how nature helped her cope, particularly during her time spent looking out across the North Sea in the north east of Scotland while staying with a friend during the investigation.
"Frankly" provides an intimate and multifaceted view of Sturgeon's personal and public challenges during recent years. It offers a glimpse into her resilience and the strength she found to carry on during difficult times.
[1] The Guardian. (2023, June 12). Nicola Sturgeon arrested and questioned by police over missing SNP funds. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/12/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-and-questioned-by-police-over-missing-snp-funds
[2] The Telegraph. (2023, June 12). Nicola Sturgeon arrested over missing SNP funds. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/06/12/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-over-missing-snp-funds/
[3] The Scotsman. (2023, June 12). Nicola Sturgeon arrested and questioned by police over missing SNP funds. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-and-questioned-by-police-over-missing-snp-funds-3894294
[4] BBC News. (2025, March 20). Nicola Sturgeon told she will face no further action over missing SNP funds. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-58560271
- The war of words in politics during the investigation of missing SNP funds involved numerous media outlets, such as The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Scotsman.
- The police investigation into embezzlement charges against Peter Murrell, involving £660,000 missing from Scottish National Party accounts, was a source of considerable conflict and anxiety for Nicola Sturgeon.
- Apart from political turmoil, Sturgeon's personal life also underwent challenges, with a particularly trying time marked by a miscarriage in 2010.
- Sturgeon's memoir, "Frankly," dives into her experiences with mental health, discussing the anxiety and dread she faced during the investigation period, as well as her coping mechanisms like spending time in nature.
