Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will end her marriage to former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell.

       In a post on Instagram, the former first minister of Scotland said: "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 is 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."

       Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell married in July 2010 after becoming a couple over two decades ago in 2003.

       READ MORE: ‘Shameful’ Nicola Sturgeon slammed for refusing to call trans rapist a man

       The news comes 18 months after police questioned the ex-SNP leader about missing party finances and nearly a year after police charged Mr Murrell in connection with alleged embezzlement in April 2024.

       Ms Sturgeon was released by police pending further action in June 2023 and has strongly maintained that she is "innocent of any wrongdoing" ever since.

       Police Scotland's Operation Branchform investigation is still ongoing as prosecutors consider whether and what action to bring against Mr Murrell, Ms Sturgeon, and former party treasurer Colin Beattie, who were both released under investigation in 2023.

       Don't miss...

       Nicola Sturgeon's deluded sister makes odd demand as SNP investigation continues [INSIGHT]

       Outrage as SNP sends ￡375k to Sudan as public services crumble in Scotland [REPORT]

       SNP's new tourist tax may see pregnant women charged for hospital birth [LATEST]

       Police Scotland launched the investigation in July 2021 following allegations that ￡600,000 raised by the SNP for Scottish independence campaigning had been diverted elsewhere.

       In December 2022, it emerged that Mr Murrell had loaned the party ￡100,000 in the previous year to help with a "cash flow" issue, and just a few months later, Ms Sturgeon shocked the world by resigning as First Minister in February 2023.

       She said her resignation was not due to short-term political pressures but because she knew in her "head and heart" that it was the right time to go.

       Mr Murrell also stepped down as the party's chief executive after over 20 years in March 2023.

       Ms Sturgeon is still a sitting MSP for Glasgow Southside and will reportedly seek re-election to Holyrood in 2026.