Nicola Sturgeon admits ‘Twitter is my bad habit’

Nicola Sturgeon has admitted she finds it tough to switch off from Twitter. Picture: Getty

The Scottish First Minister also revealed she is a fan of soaps and reality shows such as the X Factor during an interview for STV’s Tonight programme.

Ms Sturgeon discussed the unique pressures which come with being a female politician, including scrutiny of her appearance.

In the programme, she can be seen visiting Edinburgh fashion store Totty Rocks, the boutique label she wore on the day she became First Minister.

“I thought if people were going to talk about what I wear, wouldn’t it be good if they were talking about who designed it, who made it and if that’s a Scottish company, so teaming up with Totty Rocks has been fantastic,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“It’s one of the things women in politics have to deal with that men don’t.

“Men, the colour of their tie is the most difficult decision they have to make every day.

“So you have to be thinking about what you’re wearing but you don’t want to be thinking about it at the expense of what you really need to be thinking about.

“It still annoys me when I read really derogatory things about how a woman looks because you would usually not read these things about a man, and that still has the potential to put women off public life, and that’s a real shame.”

Commenting on questions about why she and her husband Peter Murrell, SNP chief executive, do not have a family, Ms Sturgeon said: “I suppose people have an understandable curiosity, and that’s understandable.

“On the other hand, Alex Salmond doesn’t have children. He might tell you differently but I’m not aware of reading an interview or seeing an interview with Alex Salmond asking that question.

“So, yes, I understand it but I think it’s just one of these things. I’m not moaning about this but it’s just one of these things that I think is just a bit different if you’re a woman in politics.”

Turning to her life away from politics, Ms Sturgeon said: “When I get the chance to watch the television I’d love to tell you it’s high-brow stuff I watch but it’s not. I like watching soaps, so I will catch up with Corrie or Eastenders or River City.

“On a Saturday night when things like X Factor or Strictly or more recently The Voice are on, that’s the kind of stuff I watch. Peter puts up with it.”

Asked about her bad habits, the First Minister said “Twitter’s probably my bad habit”, with Mr Murrell adding: “Yes, switching off from social media, or not switching off and when in bed you make one final check when you should just switch off from these things and leave them behind.”