NICOLA Sturgeon's memoir has gone on sale three days before its release date at Waterstones.
The former first minister’s book, Frankly, was due to be released on Thursday with serialised extracts in The Times and Sunday Times this weekend.
However, The National was able to purchase a copy on Monday from Waterstones' Sauchiehall Street branch in Glasgow – three days before its official release.
A mound of copies was stacked on a table near the front entrance, with one staff member claiming customers could purchase a copy due to an “exclusive” deal.
The staff member added it was sure to be an “exciting read” with other customers picking up their copy in the store at the same time as The National.
Waterstones hasn’t appeared to have advertised the “exclusive” deal, but copies of Sturgeon’s book can be purchased on its website.
If you order for click and collect, Sturgeon's book can be picked up from just about any UK Waterstones outlet after two hours.
A spokesperson for the firm rejected the claim that there was an exclusive deal to sell the book early.
“The publication date does not necessarily equal an on-sale date unless the publisher puts an embargo in place," the Waterstones spokesperson said.
“In the case of Nicola Sturgeon's memoir no sales embargo has been arranged, which means the book can go on sale as soon as it arrives in shops.”
Reports said the copies were later removed until Thursday, with pictures shared of other Waterstones outlets showing stands emptied of the book.
However, the firm said: "Our shops have been notified that there is no embargo and that the book can remain on sale."
