Nicola Sturgeon Westminster inquiry evidence postponed over 'witness availability'

Nicola Sturgeon’s appearance before a Westminster committee has been postponed due to “witness availability”.

The former first minister was due to give evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday, April 29.

MPs are holding an inquiry into relations between the UK and devolved governments to mark 25 years of devolution.

A spokesperson for the committee said the ex-SNP leader had “committed” to giving evidence and that her appearance would be rescheduled.

Nicola Sturgeon spokesperson said: “Nicola is happy to appear before the committee.”

Alex Salmond appeared before the inquiry into intergovernmental relations in the UK earlier this year.

It comes less than a week after Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was charged by police for embezzlement amid their investigation into the party’s funding and finances.

Approached by journalists outside her Uddingston home on Friday, Sturgeon said it has been an “incredibly difficult” time for her and her family.

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‘Incredibly difficult’: Nicola Sturgeon speaks after husband is charged with embezzlement

The former first minister spoke as she left the home she shares with Peter Murrell in Glasgow on Friday.

“It’s incredibly difficult, but you know, that’s not the main issue here,” she said.

“I can’t say anymore, I’m not going to say anymore.”

The former SNP leader said she didn’t think she was “revealing any secrets” by saying how difficult a time it was and told reporters outside her home that “there’s nothing going to happen down here”.

Nicola Sturgeon said it has been a 'difficult' time for her family following the arrest of her husband Peter Murrell. — Nicola Sturgeon said it has been a ‘difficult’ time for her family following the arrest of her husband Peter Murrell.

The Scottish Affairs Committee already heard from former first minister Alex Salmond in February.

During his appearance, the now-Alba leader said Tony Blair was responsible for a breakdown in relations between the Scottish and UK governments in the 2000s.

Salmond, Scotland’s first minister from 2007 to 2014, criticised Blair, the UK’s prime minister from 1997 to 2007, for not speaking to him throughout the entire six-week overlap of their premierships.

Relationships with No 10 improved greatly by the time Gordon Brown replaced Blair as prime minister, according to Salmond, with good relations continuing into David Cameron’s time as PM.