Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister and one of the most prominent political figures of her generation, is once again in the spotlight. This time, it’s not just for her political legacy, but for a candid reckoning with her private life and the pressures that come with public scrutiny. In a series of interviews and the release of her much-anticipated memoir, Frankly, Sturgeon has opened up about her sexuality, her sense of belonging, and her plans for life after politics—revealing a portrait of a leader navigating both triumph and turmoil.
Sturgeon, who led the Scottish National Party (SNP) and served as Scotland’s first minister from 2014 until her resignation in 2023, has been making headlines in August 2025 for her frank disclosures. On August 11, her ITV interview aired in conjunction with the official launch of Frankly. In this exclusive broadcast, Sturgeon tackled persistent rumors about her private life and addressed her sexuality with a clarity and nuance rarely seen from politicians of her stature. “I have never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary,” she stated, as reported by The Scotsman and Sky News. She went on to emphasize that sexual relationships should remain private matters, underscoring her belief that “sexuality isn’t binary.”
These comments, which have resonated strongly with LGBTQ+ audiences and advocates, reflect a broader shift in public conversations about identity. Sturgeon’s remarks align with contemporary understandings that sexuality and attraction can be fluid, and do not necessarily fit into fixed categories. Her willingness to speak openly about the non-binary nature of sexuality—while also asserting her right to privacy—has been widely praised as both brave and overdue. According to Sky News, Sturgeon’s decision to address these issues was partly in response to persistent online rumors and speculation about her personal life, which she firmly rejected in her memoir and interviews.
The timing of these revelations is significant. Sturgeon’s autobiography was released on August 11, three days ahead of its official publication date, after Waterstone’s announced that publisher Macmillan had not imposed an embargo. The book traces her journey from her working-class roots in Ayrshire to the highest office in Scottish politics. In Frankly, Sturgeon reflects not only on her political milestones—such as the 2014 legalization of same-sex marriage in Scotland and her efforts to reform legal gender recognition—but also on deeply personal chapters. She recounts the pain of a miscarriage in 2010 and the emotional toll of a long-running police investigation into SNP finances, which she describes as “mental torture.”
That investigation, known as Operation Branchform, cast a long shadow over Sturgeon’s final years in office. Her former partner, Peter Murrell, who served as the SNP’s chief executive, was arrested and charged in 2024 with alleged embezzlement of party donations. Murrell made no plea at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March 2025 and was granted bail. Sturgeon herself was detained and questioned by Police Scotland but has since been exonerated of any wrongdoing. In her memoir and interviews, she expressed respect for the justice system and relief that the ordeal had concluded, though she did not downplay its impact on her mental health.
“Mental torture” is how Sturgeon described the investigation, according to Sky News, highlighting just how grueling the experience was. The scrutiny didn’t stop there. Sturgeon revealed in her BBC Newscast podcast interview that she sometimes feels she “can’t breathe freely in Scotland” due to the relentless attention she receives. “Suffocating is maybe putting it too strongly, but I feel sometimes I can’t breathe freely in Scotland,” she admitted. This sense of being hemmed in has led her to consider a significant change in her life. “This may shock many people to hear, but I love London,” she told the BBC. “Just for one thing and another. I’m spending a reasonable amount of time in London at the moment, so yeah. Maybe a bit of time down here and who knows.”
The possibility of a move to London marks a dramatic shift for someone so closely associated with Scottish politics and identity. In her memoir, Sturgeon refers to the next phase of her life as her “delayed adolescence,” expressing excitement about new opportunities. She revealed, “I might live outside of Scotland for a period,” and is contemplating writing a novel—joking to STV that it could feature a “murder on every page.” Her recent divorce from Murrell, following the turbulence of the investigation, has further underscored her desire for a fresh start. Sturgeon reportedly moved out of their Glasgow home after Murrell’s arrest, signaling a definitive break from her previous life.
Earlier in 2025, Sturgeon announced that she would not seek re-election in the 2026 Holyrood election, confirming her intention to step away from mainstream politics. This decision, coupled with her recent disclosures, has fueled speculation about what the future holds for one of Scotland’s most influential leaders. Will she find the freedom she craves in London, or perhaps in another city altogether? Will her literary ambitions materialize into a bestseller? While the answers remain unclear, what is evident is Sturgeon’s determination to shape her own narrative, both in the public eye and beyond it.
Sturgeon’s legacy is inextricably linked to her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in Scotland. She was at the helm when the Scottish Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage in 2014 and later championed reforms to simplify legal gender recognition—a move that became a focal point of heated debate across the UK. Her public statements about the non-binary nature of sexuality and the importance of privacy are being seen by many as a continuation of her commitment to inclusivity and respect for individual identity. As Sky News notes, her acknowledgment may help normalize discussions of fluidity and privacy, reinforcing that people’s identities do not need to fit predetermined labels to be valid or respected.
As Frankly hits the shelves and her ITV interview continues to spark conversation, Nicola Sturgeon stands at a crossroads—no longer defined solely by her political achievements, but by her willingness to confront personal truths and societal expectations. Whether she ultimately settles in London, pens a gripping novel, or simply enjoys her “delayed adolescence,” Sturgeon’s journey remains one to watch. Her story is a reminder that even the most public of lives are filled with private complexities, and that the search for authenticity—and a place to breathe freely—is universal.
