Mr Russell offered a full and unreserved apology for giving the wrong information on college funding by mistake last week.

He admitted the error should not have happened. His apology to Holyrood came just five days after First Minister Alex Salmond was also forced to say sorry for quoting the wrong figures on declining college budgets.

The awards, supported by ScottishPower Renewables, RBS Group, NVT Group and the Improvement Service, were presented at a ceremony in Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh.

In 14 years of The Herald awards, this was the first time we had an all-female shortlist for the top prize. In winning the accolade, Ms Sturgeon saw off strong challenges from Labour leader Johann Lamont for the way she has led her party's fightback since the election defeat 18 months ago, and Holyrood Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick for her reforms to the Parliament's proceedings.