Sturgeon’s sister is arrested after domestic ‘incident’ with her partner
SHE called cops on HIM over alleged assault then HE made counter-claim. Now they’ve BOTH been charged
‘A 46-year-old woman was charged following a report’
NICOLA Sturgeon’s sister has been arrested by police and charged following an alleged incident involving her partner.
Gill Sturgeon, 46, was picked up by officers on Wednesday – just days after Steven Waite, 50, was also arrested.
Yesterday, the mother of two issued a statement saying she had reported her partner to police over an alleged assault. She revealed she had later been arrested after he made a counter-allegation against her.
The alleged incident took place at a house in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, on August 7.
The First Minister’s sister and her partner are due to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at a later date.
Nicola Sturgeon, 51, has publicly praised her younger sister, an NHS worker, during the Covid pandemic.
Gill Sturgeon – who we cannot picture for legal reasons – wrote on Facebook yesterday: ‘On August 7, I reported an assault by my partner to the police. I understand that he later made a counter-allegation against me which I strongly deny. I know that the police have a duty to investigate and I have fully co-operated. I can make no further comment at this stage but I am confident the truth will prevail.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘A 50-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with an incident that took place within a house in Kilwinning, on Saturday, August 7.
‘He was released on an undertaking to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at a later date.
‘A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
‘On Wednesday, August 11, a 46year-old woman was arrested and charged following a report made on Tuesday, August 10, regarding an incident that took place within a house in Kilwinning on Saturday, August 7.
‘She has been released on an undertaking to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at a later date.
‘A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.’
Mr Waite lives in Kilwinning and works as a painter and decorator.
Speaking from his home last night, he said: ‘I’ve got nothing to say about it. No comment.’
Throughout the Covid crisis, the First Minister has praised her sister’s role in the health service.
In April last year, amid concerns about PPE supplies for staff, she
On 7th August, I reported an assault by my partner to the police. I understand that he later made a counter allegation against me which I strongly deny. I know that the police have a duty to investigate and I have fully co-operated. I can make no further comment at this stage but I am confident that the truth will prevail
said: ‘I may be First Minister, but I’ve got friends and family who work in these kinds of jobs on the front line of health and care.
‘I know from my personal experience how vital this is. I’m not standing here just talking as First Minister, I’m standing here talking as the sister of someone who works on the front line of the NHS, as a human being and as a citizen.
‘I care deeply and passionately about making sure that those who are doing so much for us on the front line get the support and protection they need.’
Meanwhile, Gill Sturgeon has previously urged her sister’s critics to ‘cut her a bit of slack’ over her handling of the pandemic. In September she wrote on Facebook: ‘So sick and tired of this. She’s working round the clock and has been for months to help this country. And she has shown up every single day. Surely it’s time to cut her a bit of slack.’
She added: ‘This also affects her. She won’t see my dad on his birthday probably because her area’s in lockdown. She is human too.’
However, the First Minister’s sister faced criticism this month when she posted a picture on social media of herself without a mask on, while travelling on a ScotRail train. After putting the picture on Facebook, her mother Joan Sturgeon replied: ‘Mask on!’ Her daughter mistakenly claimed she did not have to wear one while sitting, but later deleted the picture.
Other Facebook users insisted that masks are ‘mandatory’ on public transport, including while sitting down, with one even posting
‘A momentary lapse of which she is aware’
a link to ScotRail’s Covid guidance, to which she replied ‘thank you’.
Gill Sturgeon then posted another message, which read: ‘Just for the record. I was on a train. Sitting down eating a sandwich. Took my mask off for that.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said at the time: ‘This was a momentary lapse of which she is aware and will ensure it is not repeated.’