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Nicola Sturgeon to stay in parliament after FM resignation

The Scottish National Party leader made the announcement at a news conference in Edinburgh.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday confirmed her surprise resignation, announcing an election would take place to replace her as Scottish National Party leader (Photo by JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday confirmed her surprise resignation, announcing an election would take place to replace her as Scottish National Party leader (Photo by JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday confirmed her surprise resignation, announcing an election would take place to replace her as Scottish National Party leader (Photo by JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as Scotland’s first minister after more than eight years in the role.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader made the announcement at an 11am press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh this morning.

Nicola Sturgeon to stay in parliament after FM resignation

Key Events

“I will remain in office until my successor is elected” - Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon confirms: “Today I am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party.”

“I will remain in office until my successor is elected.” She acknoweledges some people will be “upset” and jokes that others will “cope just fine” with the announcement. “My decision comes from a place of duty and love,” she adds.

Nicola Sturgeon is announcing plans to step down as Scotland's First Minister.Nicola Sturgeon is announcing plans to step down as Scotland's First Minister.
Nicola Sturgeon is announcing plans to step down as Scotland's First Minister.

“Very best job in the world” - Sturgeon

Ms Sturgeon begins by saying it is the “very best job in the world,” and it has sustained her through “toughest hours in toughest days”. She adds it is important to know “almost instinctively when the time is right to make way for someone else.”

BREAKING: Sturgeon announces resignation

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she is resigning after eight years as head of the Scottish Government.

Immediate SNP reaction as tributes paid

SNP MP Alison Thewliss admitted she was “absolutely gutted” about the news, stating: “Nicola has been an incredible leader.”

MP Stewart McDonald, called Ms Sturgeon “the finest public servant of the devolution age” and would be “an enormous loss” to the country and party.

SNP MP, Kirsten Oswald, described her as an “outstanding leader”, adding: “We’ve been so fortunate to have someone with her talents at the helm. I am so sorry she is standing down.”

News conference at Bute House residence

A hastily-arranged news conference is about to begin at Ms Sturgeon residence at Bute House. Tune into broadcast coverage by major news outlets, including the BBC and Sky News.

Sky News will broaadcast the press conference live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Auq9mYxFEE

Departure NOT immediate

Reports suggest Ms Sturgeon’s departure will NOT be immediate to allow time for a successor to be elected.

A source close to the First Minister told the BBC this morning that she had “had enough.”

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon is set to resignFirst Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon is set to resign
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon is set to resign

Ms Sturgeon has been first minister since November 2014, taking over from Alex Salmond following the independance referendum defeat.

She has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and became the deputy leader of the SNP in 2004. She would lead the political party to a host of election victories at UK, Scottish and local level.

Nicola Sturgeon to resign as Scotland’s first minister

Nicola Sturgeon is set to resign as Scotland’s first minister after more than eight years in the role.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader is expected to make the announcement at a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh at 11am.

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