No female political leaders comments 'classic Nicola Sturgeon ego and delusion'

Nicola Sturgeon’s comments that she cannot see a female leader in Holyrood anytime soon have been dubbed “classic ego and delusion”.

Over the weekend the former first minister said she cannot say “with certainty” that a woman will lead a political party in Scotland “any time soon”.

When she became Scotland’s first female first minister, she described the moment as a “breakthrough” as it meant the largest three political parties in the Scottish Parliament were led by women.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon | Press Association

The former SNP leader said: “We do have these moments in time such as when I was first minister and the Tories were led by Ruth Davidson and Labour was led by Kezia Dugdale and that felt like such a breakthrough moment.

“But fast forward a few years, and none of these parties are led by women.

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“That’s not the issue. The issue is that, if I’m honest, if I look round the Scottish Parliament right now, I can’t really say with any certainty that there will be another female leader any time soon.”

Current Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay says this is a “body blow” to high-profile female SNP politicians who have been tipped for the top job such as Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan and Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

Read more: Nicola Sturgeon cannot see a female political leader at Holyrood 'anytime soon'

Mr Findlay said: “This sounds like classic Nicola Sturgeon ego and delusion.

“She talks about championing women in politics but then does this.

“She always knows exactly what she is saying - she’s effectively saying that her female protégés are not good enough, which is a body blow to them but also to the party Nicola Sturgeon says she represents.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay | John Devlin/The Scotsman

Mr Findlay added: “I look at my female colleagues and I see great talent and ability.

“I’ll always ensure that women in our party are given the opportunity to thrive and prosper.”

Currently Gillian Mackay MSP, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, is the only female leader of a Scottish political party. Their party rules state there must be at least one female co-leader at any given time.

Both Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives have women as their deputy leaders (Dame Jackie Baillie MSP and Rachael Hamilton MSP) and Kate Forbes is currently deputy first minister, but is due to step down from frontline politics at next year’s election.