A REMOVAL van has been spotted outside the official residence of the outgoing First Minister.
Nicola Sturgeon will step down from her role as the leader of the SNP and the head of the Scottish Government in a matter of weeks.
It is not known when she will vacate the grace-and-favour property in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. A Scottish Government spokesperson said the van had "nothing to do with Bute House" and was working on a property on the same street.
But eagle-eyed neighbours posted pictures of a large blue Broughton Removals van outside Bute House on Monday morning and jumped to the conclusion Sturgeon was preparing for her official exit.
We believe the removers are in at Bute House…. Must be loads of books to shift… @NicolaSturgeon 📚📚📚 pic.twitter.com/UM6SnILA2t
— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) March 6, 2023
The local news outlet Edinburgh Reporter quipped: “We believe the removers are in at Bute House… Must be loads of books to shift…”
Fife Labour councillor Graeme Downie added: “FM leaving early is she...?”
The First Minister announced she was stepping down in a shock move last month.
It triggered an election to replace her, which is set to conclude with the election of a new party leader on March 27.
The winner will be expected to become Scotland’s next first minister.
In the running are Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan.
