After a turbulent few months, it was perhaps unsurprising that Nicola Sturgeon appeared ready to take time out over a leisurely lunch.
The former Scottish First Minister seemed at ease as she sipped wine during an alfresco meal in West London, just days after her husband was jailed for embezzling party funds.
As Peter Murrell begins a five-year sentence at HMP Dumfries, his estranged wife, 55, who is seeking a divorce, met prominent human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell KC at Golborne Bistro in Notting Hill.
The pair took advantage of the warm weather, chatting animatedly outside the well-known restaurant, which is known for its Anglo-Mediterranean menu.
Casually dressed and smiling during the outing, the former SNP leader — who has relocated to England after spending decades campaigning for Scottish independence — appeared upbeat despite the upheaval surrounding her husband’s trial.
Onlookers said Sturgeon laughed and appeared deeply engaged in conversation with her lawyer friend as the two spent several hours drinking white wine in the sunshine.
The Sunday lunch followed what has been an exceptionally challenging spell for the long-serving politician.
Murrell, the SNP’s former chief executive, admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period.
Nicola Sturgeon was seen winding down over a boozy meal with a close friend in Notting Hill
Onlookers said she was laughing and engaging in animated conversation with her lawyer friend as they spent several hours together drinking white wine in the sun
This was Ms Sturgeon spotted for the first time since her husband Peter Murrell was locked up
She looked relatively contented after what must have been an extremely testing period
The former SNP leader met prominent human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell KC at Golborne Bistro in Notting Hill
The pair enjoyed a meal at the upmarket spot, which specialises in Anglo-Mediterranean dishes
Ms Sturgeon leader made sure to drain every last drop
Fortunately her husband’s woes have not totally depleted her sense of humour
He spent the money on a motorhome, cars and hundreds of other items including jewellery and luxury goods, some of which were gifted to Ms Sturgeon.
She was arrested as part of Operation Branchform – the investigation into the stolen party funds – after stepping down as First Minister in 2023, but has faced no charges.
And while she has always vehemently denied any knowledge of her husband’s crimes, she continues to face questions over the scandal and calls to release a written statement she gave to police, following revelations that detectives were frustrated by some of her answers.
After giving a ‘no comment’ interview to Police Scotland, Ms Sturgeon then provided the written statement, but it emerged that the document failed to address all of the points raised – and there were further questions which officers would have liked to have asked her.
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Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton has been among those calling for Ms Sturgeon to release the statement and for a Scottish Parliament inquiry into the affair.
‘There is nothing stopping Nicola Sturgeon publishing that statement, so she should do so immediately,’ she said.
‘If she fails to do so, she has no right complaining about the suspicion and innuendo surrounding her – because she will be fuelling it.’
Ms Hamilton added: ‘What Sturgeon knew, what she told police and why she wasn’t charged are just some of the issues that a parliamentary inquiry into the Murrell scandal would address.’
The meal no doubt provided some light relief for the veteran Scottish politician, who vehemently denied any knowledge of her husband’s crimes
Ms Sturgeon tapped her phone to pay for the refreshments before the pair headed off down the street
The pair selected a street-facing wooden bench for their afternoon rendezvous
Ms Sturgeon has insisted that she fully cooperated with the police probe.
But senior officers privately raised concerns about her response to inquiries and poured scorn on her claim she had no ‘conscious memory’ of seeing a £124,000 motorhome, paid for by Murrell with stolen cash, sitting outside her mother-in-law’s home.
The Mail has also learned Police Scotland and the Crown Office – the Scottish public prosecutor – have no objection to Ms Sturgeon publishing her written statement.
Aamer Anwar, Ms Sturgeon’s lawyer, last month suggested ‘anonymous sources’ had ‘desperately tried to insinuate guilt’ despite Ms Sturgeon having not been charged, prosecuted or convicted.
He added: ‘Ms Sturgeon is innocent of any crime… it was Mr Murrell who was charged, tried, convicted and imprisoned for his crimes.’
Among those demanding a parliamentary inquiry is Joanna Cherry KC, who accused the former leadership of the party of ‘hostility’ towards those ‘questioning what Murrell was up to in respect of internal party governance and party finances’.
She said: ‘Murrell would not have got away with what he did for so long without the hostility to debate, transparency and scrutiny enforced by the SNP leadership and their cronies and the harassment and intimidation of those who dared to speak up. That is why we need an independent inquiry.’
Three former members of the SNP’s finance and audit committee who resigned in March 2021 amid concerns about the party’s financial health and governance also raised concerns about the way their concerns were handled.
Ms Sturgeon told a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee that the party’s finances had ‘never been stronger’ and urged members to be ‘very careful’ about suggesting there were ‘any problems’ with them.
In their joint statement, Allison Graham, Cynthia Guthrie, and Frank Ross, said the response to their resignation had been ‘deeply concerning to all of us’.
The pair continued chatting on the street near the West London restaurant
Ms Sturgeon continues to face questions over the scandal
Ms Sturgeon with her now estranged – and imprisoned – husband Peter Murrell
They said: ‘We would like to place on record our appreciation for the professionalism shown by Police Scotland throughout a lengthy and difficult high-profile investigation that required focus, objectivity, credible evidence, and institutional integrity.
‘We hope there will now be a reflection on the unjustified attacks made against all those involved in carrying out and supporting the work that led to a guilty plea in this case.’
The SNP highlighted Mr Swinney’s previous comments on calls for a parliamentary inquiry.
He has rejected the demands, saying there was ‘a very clear criminal justice conclusion’ to the case.
