The pressure and responsibility of leading Scotland through Covid took a heavy toll on Nicola Sturgeon, according to her sister.
Gillian Sturgeon said recent years had undoubtedly had an impact on her big sister, adding: “The last years have taken a tremendous toll on her because she takes everything on her own shoulders, always wanting to do her very best for everyone, especially the vulnerable.
“She has always been her own harshest critic. All during the pandemic, when she had to stand on the podium every single day and read out how many people had died. I know she took each loss personally.
“It was a huge pressure for anyone to shoulder, not least because none of us had ever experienced anything like it before. I think that changed her forever.
“She spent virtually every day during the pandemic speaking to experts and trying to do the best she could with the advice they gave her.”
During her snap press conference on Wednesday, the First Minister admitted leading Scotland for eight years had taken a toll and “in head and heart” she knew it was time to stand down. She hailed her family for their support and said she was looking forward to spending more time with them.
Gillian said the feeling is mutual: “The job changed Nicola. She had such a huge amount of responsibilities on her shoulders all the time, of course it changed her. The job was all-consuming.
“It was hard for her being away from the family, and it is certainly the one thing I look forward to is spending more time with my sister. She has a special bond with my daughter, who was just a baby when she took office. I’m sure they will both be looking forward to seeing each other more.
“I’m couldn’t be prouder of her or happier because, after 17 years of losing my big sister to politics, I’ve finally seen her smiling and laughing like she used to when we were growing up together.
“After she made the announcement at Bute House, she took off her formal suit, and drove straight home to Ayrshire to see us. It was the first time in a very long time that I’d seen her really smile. I felt like I had got my big sister back.”
The First Minister’s parents were only told the night before her shock resignation, her sister has revealed, adding: “We’d known for a very long time Nicola was carrying the weight of the world but we never expected her to go the way she did. She called mum late the night before to say she had just made her mind up. It was time to go.
“I went over a short while later and mum said Nicola had called to tell them. We were all shocked but we knew life had been wearing her down for some time.
“I messaged her the next morning to ask if she had been pushed. She said no, it was her own decision.
“I told her I was glad and wished her luck with the announcement.”
Mum-of-two Gillian, who says she is “incredibly proud” of her sister’s achievements, said it was “a delight” seeing her kick off her stilettos and swap them for “her comfies”.
Gillian said: “Nicola is never happier than sitting at home with her feet up, wearing her comfy clothes, her slippers, and reading a good book.
“I believe her proudest legacy will be the example she has set to all the little girls who grew up like we did. They can look at what Nicola has achieved and realise they can have those chances too.
“We’ve been inundated with messages from girls Nicola inspired. I think she will be very proud of that when she looks back. Nicola always wanted to do something to change people’s lives.
“I think she has done that, and will continue to do that, whatever she decides to do next.”
The gender self-ID legislation, which commentators have blamed for many of the First Minister’s recent political difficulties, stemmed from her determination to end inequality, according to Gillian.
She said: “When we were growing up, we learned to fight injustice and inequality from our parents. Nicola would always pursue that wherever she saw it. It’s something that drives her.
“Nicola will continue to follow her passions. She has always been a determined advocate for children and women who have suffered abuse. I can see her doing something positive like that.”
Gillian said her sister had met leaders, prominent politicians and A-listers during her years in charge but was most impressed with the Queen and Hillary Clinton.
She said: “I know the Queen was the person who stood out the most because of her knowledge and her overwhelming sense of duty. She was also very impressed by Hillary Clinton.
“But Nicola loved meeting the people of Scotland most of all, and there were many, many people she met and visited at their homes, well away from the cameras and media. I think she enjoyed that most of all.”
However, the FM was left with little respect for her one-time mentor turned critic Alex Salmond, according to her sister, who says she felt “deeply hurt and betrayed” by his behaviour.
Gillian said: “He was someone she had looked up to and who had encouraged her. I think his behaviour and betrayal was something that hurt her deeply. I knew it affected her because she talked about it. It was the one time I thought she might walk away. Before now.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe