Peter Murrell, former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party
For more than a decade, Peter Murrell has been one of the key figures in turning a party that many regarded as a laughingstock, the dominant force in Scottish politics.
But despite having played a leading role in bringing the SNP to the brink of its mission-defining independence, Mr Murrell has avoided the spotlight, preferring to remain behind the scenes — a trait that earned him the nickname «Penfold» after Danger Mouse's friend in the children's cartoon series.
His marriage to Nicola Sturgeon in 2010 was unsuccessful. the brief exception was when their wedding photographs appeared in the Scottish press.
The couple first met in 1988 when Ms Sturgeon, a volunteer in the Salmond constituency, attended an SNP youth camp organized by Mr Murrell, – and started a relationship in 2003.
He is considered to be a good cook. and Mrs. Sturgeon previously said that he cooks all their meals. The couple do not have children, and Ms Sturgeon spoke openly and movingly about her miscarriage in 2011.
Wedding photos of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell have appeared in the Scottish press.
When she announced her resignation as First Minister, she praised her husband and loved ones, stating: “Few people understand the price political families pay for the work we choose. Mine was my support in everything.”
The couple are known to love staying at a house in Portugal's Algarve region, spending hours there enjoying reading or walking the Via Algarviana, a long walking path along the world famous coastline.
A calming influence
In September 2016, Mandy Rhodes, Ms. Sturgeon's former friend described them as «very withdrawn,» adding: «They can sit in silence for hours just reading, rarely interact as a couple, and spend their holidays alone with their parents.» apartment with a share of time in the Algarve in Portugal."
Mr Murrell, who was born in Edinburgh and attended Craigmount High School before going to the University of Glasgow, was initially seen as a calming factor during the party strife under John Swinney's troubled leadership of 2000-2004 and was an important role in transforming the SNP.< /p> Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon: Chronology
During the Sweeney era and before he became party chief executive, Mr. Murrell, like Ms. Sturgeon, was also associated with Mr. Salmond, worked in his constituency. Salmond also attended his wedding to Ms Sturgeon.
Mr Murrell's salary as chief executive, which was estimated at more than £100,000, annoyed many.
And after that Since Ms Sturgeon became party leader in late 2014, the murmur that too much power is concentrated in one family has intensified.
Relationships under scrutiny
Their relationship came under increased scrutiny in January 2019 after former SNP Attorney General Kenny MacAskill, who defected to the Alba Party two years later, said that having a husband and wife in top positions was unacceptable in other organizations.
In 2018, Alex Salmond faced allegations of sexual harassment, but the charges were later dropped by a Scottish court.
In 2020, Mr Murrell was accused of making conflicting demands to the MSP committee. investigation into the conduct of the Scottish Government in the Salmond dispute, including a meeting between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond held at the home of Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon.
He said he did not ask his wife about meeting, telling Inquiry of Holyrood: «Alec [Salmond] and Nicola were in the other room(s) where I couldn't see them. The fact that there were other people there gave me that feeling. I went upstairs and showered and changed, and by the time I did, the meeting was over and they were gone.» number of party members, not to mention the Salmond case, Mr. Murrell was again in the spotlight of high-ranking party officials.
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