Nicola Sturgeon Opens Up: Miscarriage, Sexuality, and the Ordeal of Operation Branchform
Nicola Sturgeon has never shied away from difficult debates in public life, but in her new memoir she pulls back the curtain on intensely personal struggles that shaped both her private world and her political journey. The former First Minister of Scotland, known for her steadfast leadership, uses the upcoming book to talk about her miscarriage, address rumors about her sexuality, and describe the fallout from a police investigation that turned her life upside down.
Sturgeon, who led the Scottish National Party (SNP) for almost a decade, starts her memoir by candidly recounting her early years with Peter Murrell, her long-term partner and former SNP chief executive. One of the most intimate revelations: she suffered a miscarriage early in their relationship, describing it as a "devastating" blow that still lingers. She writes about the pain and loss, but also how the experience drew her and Murrell closer together, forcing them to lean on each other while coping behind closed doors. In political circles, where personal tragedy can quickly turn tabloid, Sturgeon says the sting of gossip and speculation only made the pain harder to bear.
Rumors about her sexuality had been swirling for years—whispers fueled by the complete lack of detail she gave the public about her private life. Sturgeon addresses the matter head-on, stating, without hedging, that she is heterosexual and devoted to Murrell. She reflects on how holding public office placed her personal identity under a harsh spotlight, pushing her to preserve a sense of privacy while facing constant questions about her marriage and sexuality.
Operation Branchform: Psychological Trauma and Political Fallout
But it’s the police investigation into the SNP’s finances—codenamed Operation Branchform—that looms largest in her story. The probe, which landed her under suspicion and led to her arrest in June 2023, is described in the memoir as nothing short of "mental torture." Sturgeon details the relentless months that followed: interviews with detectives, waiting for news, and the nonstop media circus camped outside her door. Even though she was quickly released and, by February 2024, cleared after prosecutors decided not to bring charges, the damage—she says—was already done.
She calls the investigation politically motivated, not just a normal part of government scrutiny. The stress and public humiliation, she admits, chipped away at her self-confidence and happiness. Sturgeon shares that she spent nights unable to sleep, replaying every decision, every headline. She worries, even now, about the effect the ordeal had on her mental health and those closest to her. Sustained media attention, she writes, sometimes felt worse than the actual investigation—her home, her marriage, the core of her life laid bare for all to judge.
The emotional weight didn’t just haunt her private life. Sturgeon links the investigation and the cumulative stress of being under fire in the biggest job in Scottish politics as decisive reasons for her stepping down in February 2023. She paints a picture of leadership not as a badge of honor, but as a burden, especially when questions of trust, both public and private, take center stage.
Her memoir, scheduled for release on August 15, 2025, promises more than just an insider’s view of high office. It’s a Nicola Sturgeon story that mixes policy with pain, resilience with raw honesty, and throws a spotlight on what it really costs to hold power in a world that rarely looks away. The political community in Scotland is already bracing for the storm it may cause when it finally hits the shelves.