Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls for her to stay away from the SNP’s general election campaign after her husband was charged by police.
The former party leader is being urged to “leave it alone” as senior SNP figures fear disaster when Scottish voters go to the polls.
The SNP’s popularity has plummeted since the 2019 general election, when Ms Sturgeon led her party to victory with 48 out of 59 seats in Scotland.
A recent YouGov mega-poll suggested the SNP would win just 19 seats in the next general election, with Labor winning 28 Scottish constituencies.
Ms Sturgeon stepped down as Scottish First Minister and leader of the SNP in March last year.
It came just weeks before she and her husband, Peter Murrell, were arrested as part of Police Scotland’s Operation Branchform investigation into the SNP’s finances.
Mr Murrell, a former SNP chief executive, was arrested again on Thursday before being charged over alleged embezzlement.
Ms Sturgeon – who has not been charged – is now under pressure to avoid SNP campaign events in the run-up to the general election.
Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls to stay away from the SNP’s general election campaign after her husband was charged by police.
Former party leader urged to ‘leave it aside’ as senior SNP figures fear disaster when Scottish voters go to polls
Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP, was arrested again on Thursday before being charged for alleged embezzlement.
Alex Neil, a former MP who was previously a senior member of Ms Sturgeon’s Scottish government, told the Sunday Times: “We have to face the facts, the party faces an uphill fight in the general election.
“The last thing we need is for people to be reminded of the shame and legacy associated with Nicola Sturgeon. She should leave this at home.
The newspaper also cited a figure previously close to Ms Sturgeon who is said to have called for her suspension from the SNP following the latest developments in Operation Branchform.
“I would suspend her now,” they said.
An SNP Westminster source added: “Our lowest assessment of what would happen on a very, very bad night (in the general election) was that we won 15 seats.
“Now people are saying if the election were tomorrow we wouldn’t get more than that. That’s the impact Murrell’s arrest had.
Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon’s successor as SNP leader and Prime Minister, spoke about Mr Murrell’s arrest as he addressed a pro-independence rally in Glasgow on Saturday.
The Believe in Scotland march took place from Kelvin Way to George Square in Glasgow, accompanied by drummers and bagpipes.
Around 2,000 people joined the rally, which was also attended by Line Of Duty star Martin Compston (pictured next to Mr Yousaf).
On Friday, Ms Sturgeon described the situation as “incredibly difficult” after her husband was charged by police.
She called for privacy as she spoke briefly to reporters outside the Glasgow home she shares with Mr Murrell.
Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon’s successor as SNP leader and Prime Minister, spoke about Mr Murrell’s arrest as he addressed a pro-independence rally in Glasgow on Saturday.
“The last 48 hours have been difficult,” he said. “This came as a shock to us members of the independence movement and the SNP.
“Let me tell you this: You can’t always control what happens in life, but what you can choose is how you react.
“When it comes to obstacles that come our way, just because obstacles come our way, are we going to pack up and go home?
“We will fight for what we believe in. In recent days they have said that the independence movement is over.
“You don’t look finished to me, my friends.
The Believe in Scotland march took place from Kelvin Way to George Square in Glasgow, accompanied by drummers and bagpipes.
Around 2,000 people joined the rally which was also attended by Line Of Duty star Martin Compston.
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