Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell is stepping down as SNP boss

According to reports, members of the SNP’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) threatened him with a vote of no confidence.

It follows the departure of SNP media chief Murray Foote, who left the party on Friday amid a dispute over the party’s membership numbers.

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

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Murrell said: “Responsibility for the SNP’s response to media inquiries about our membership number rests with me as chief executive.

“While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this was the result. I have therefore decided to reaffirm my intention to step down as CEO with immediate effect.

“I had no plans to confirm this decision until after the leadership election.

“However, with my future becoming a distraction from the campaign, I have concluded that I should step down now so that the party can focus fully on issues relating to Scotland’s future.

“The campaign is run by the national secretary and I was not involved at any point.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished during my tenure as CEO and the role I’ve played in ensuring the party’s electoral success for nearly two decades.

“Fourteen national election victories are a testament to the skills of the dedicated and talented HQ team I have had the privilege of leading.

“They give everything for the party and the cause of independence, and I thank them for that.

“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 firmly believe that independence is now closer than ever.”

Earlier this week it emerged that the party had lost 30,000 members in just over a year.

Mr Foote said after speaking to the party’s headquarters he gave answers to the media who had “serious problems” and he later decided there was a “serious impediment” to his role.

On Thursday, the party announced membership was 72,186 as of February 15 this year, after falling from 103,884 in 2021.

This confirmed a story in the Sunday Mail in February about the loss of 30,000 members by the SNP, which Mr Foote had staunchly denied at the time.

On Saturday, the Herald newspaper reported that a senior member of the NEC said: “We have the numbers. There is not the slightest hope that Peter can survive a motion of no confidence.”

This week, two of the candidates to replace Ms Sturgeon, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, raised concerns about the integrity of the election.

However, Health Minister Humza Yousaf, widely seen as the favorite for the top job in the party hierarchy, dismissed it as “unfounded slander”.

Ms Regan said: “Eight years ago was the point where it was unacceptable to have the party leader’s husband as CEO.

“I am heartened to see that the party’s democratic foundations are now asserting their rightful role.

“The SNP is more than capable of getting through this as long as we stay true to our roots and uphold the values ​​of our members.”

Earlier, SNP lead candidate Kate Forbes acknowledged “extraordinary turbulence” in the party.