Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell resigns as SNP chief executive in membership numbers row while rivals battle to replace her as leader

• Senior members within the SNP were reportedly ready to force Mr Murrel out
• It follows a scandal in which false membership numbers were given to the press

Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell has stepped down as the Chief Executive of the SNP with immediate effect amid demands from within the party for him to quit – as rivals battle it out to replace her as leader. 

Mr Murrell announced his resignation on Saturday morning after a group of members of the SNP’s ruling body launched a bid to remove him.

A majority of members reportedly were ready to support a motion of no confidence in the Chief Executive if he did not voluntarily go. 

The party is facing political turmoil after Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to resign as First Minister and leader of the SNP earlier this year. 

His resignation follows SNP media chief Murray Foote leaving on Friday amid a row over the party’s membership numbers.

Nicola Sturgeon ‘s husband Peter Murrell has stepped down as the Chief Executive of the SNP

Mr Murrell has been the SNP’s Chief Executive for the last 20 years

Mr Foote said that after speaking to the party’s HQ, he had issued responses to the media which had ‘serious issues’ and he later decided there was a ‘serious impediment’ to his role. 

He had reportedly previously been told to deny the reports as ‘inaccurate’ and ‘drivel’ – and was accused of providing bogus membership numbers to a Mail journalist.

On Thursday, the party revealed membership as of February 15 this year was 72,186, having fallen from 103,884 in 2021. 

Just before Mr Murrell announced his resignation, a senior member of the SNP’s governing body told Sky News: ‘The buck stops with Peter… he shouldn’t have thrown a junior member of staff under the bus.’

Mr Murrell has been the party’s chief executive for more than 20 years. 

There have also been multiple protests by SNP members that the leadership contest to determine the replacement for Ms Sturgeon was being overseen by her own husband. 

In a statement, Mr Murrell said: ‘Responsibility for the SNP’s responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive. While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect.

‘I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election.

‘However as my future has become a distraction from the campaign I have concluded that I should stand down now, so the party can focus fully on issues about Scotland’s future.

‘The election contest is being run by the National Secretary and I have had no role in it at any point.

‘I am very proud of what has been achieved in my time as chief executive and of the part I have played in securing the electoral success the party has enjoyed over almost two decades.

’14 national election wins is testament to the skills of the dedicated and talented HQ team that I have been privileged to lead.

‘They give their all to the party and the independence cause and I thank them for it.

‘I have worked for independence all my life and will continue to do so, albeit in a different capacity, until it is achieved – and I do firmly believe that independence is now closer than ever.’

SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes today acknowledged ‘extraordinary turmoil’ in the party. 

On Saturday, Ms Forbes issued an open letter to SNP members who had yet to cast their vote.

But she herself has been beset by issues after she told the media she would have voted against allowing gay marriage to her conservative religious beliefs. 

She told members: ‘Many of you, like me, will be hurt and bemused by the extraordinary turmoil in our party over the last days.

‘If anyone was in any doubt that this needs to be a change election for the SNP, recent events and resignations confirm the core message of my campaign: continuity won’t cut it.’

She continued: ‘I love the SNP, and I am passionate about Scotland’s future as an independent, fair and wealthy nation.

‘A few years ago, scandal rocked the SNP and I was asked to step up and deliver the budget with only a few hours’ notice.

‘I did it, for my party and for the people of this country. That is the mark of who I am. I will not shy away from difficult times.

‘Instead I find the solution and give it my all.

‘I have a great deal of respect for the two other candidates, but I am the only candidate who can truly deliver change as First Minister.’

Ms Forbes, who is on maternity leave from her government role as Finance Secretary, pledged to reform the party and committed to independent auditing of membership and finances.

Ash Regan, one of the other candidates in the race, tweeted about the report that NEC members were calling on Mr Murrell to go.

She said: ‘I am encouraged to see the democratic foundations of the party now asserting their rightful functions.’

Fellow leadership candidate Humza Yousaf addressed Mr Foote’s departure on Friday.

He said Mr Foote ‘has been outstanding since joining the SNP media team’ and that he would be ‘sorely missed’.

Mr Yousaf added: ‘Reform of our HQ operations has been a key part of my campaign. With fresh party leadership should come a fresh approach to our HQ operation.’

This is a breaking news story and is being updated. 

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