Boris Johnson’s takes new swipes at Nicola Sturgeon in his book (Image: Getty)
Writing in his forthcoming memoir ‘Unleashed’, he mocked Sturgeon and her husband over questions surrounding the Scottish National Party (SNP) finances and the high-profile seizure of a £110,000 motorhome.
Johnson’s book, set to be published on Thursday, reflects on his time as Prime Minister and features his characteristic wit and jabs at political opponents, with Sturgeon being no exception.
In a particularly scathing passage, the former Prime Minister refers to Sturgeon’s handling of the Scottish independence campaign – a cause she championed throughout her leadership, as “more or less dead” by the time of his departure from office.
He credits the Covid pandemic for having “settled the question for a generation at least,” referring to the drop in momentum for the independence movement during and after the crisis.
Police Scotland seized Sturgeon’s luxury motorhome worth £110,000 (Image: Getty)
He says: “As it turned out, her Scotland-only measures were probably useless. There is no perceptible difference in the overall mortality rate between England and Scotland.”
The former Prime Minister goes on to ridicule Sturgeon’s reputation, writing: “Her halo slipped, and it turned out she and her husband had some questions to answer about how SNP funds were spent.”
This is a pointed reference to the ongoing police investigation into the SNP’s finances, a saga that has embroiled Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell, the party’s former Chief Executive.
As part of the investigation, Police Scotland seized a luxury motorhome worth £110,000 from Murrell’s mother’s home earlier this year – a vehicle believed to have been purchased using party funds.
Johnson added: “The Scottish Nationalist dog barked during the pandemic, but by the end, the great United Kingdom caravan had moved on.
“Except, of course, for the deluxe £110,000 motorhome unceremoniously seized and impounded by Police Scotland.”
Boris Johnson’s book, ‘Unleashed’ will be released on October 10 (Image: N/C)
The timing of Johnson’s comments are notable, coming as the SNP continues to face questions over its finances and political direction under Sturgeon’s successor, Humza Yousaf.
The investigation into the party’s financial dealings, including the purchase of the motorhome, has already led to Murrell’s arrest earlier this year, though he was later released without charge.
Johnson’s book is expected to offer further revelations and commentary on his time in office, as well as his views on the current political landscape.
His remarks on Sturgeon and the SNP are likely to stir fresh controversy in the already tumultuous relationship between London and Edinburgh, reigniting debates on Scottish independence and the future of the Union.
As of now, Nicola Sturgeon has remained largely silent on the specifics of the police investigation, while Yousaf has distanced himself from the financial mismanagement claims, focusing on rebuilding the SNP’s reputation and trust with voters.
