Newspaper headlines: Sturgeon's resignation and Bulley 'alcohol issues'

1px transparent line
By BBC News
Staff
Reuters

The Times describes Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as a "huge boost to unionism". It says senior Tories as well as Labour figures reacted with jubilation, with a Labour source quoted as saying: "It's great for us. The SNP is about to start a rats-fighting-in-a-sack race." In the view of the Daily Mail, Sturgeon's dreams are in tatters, Scotland has been plunged into turmoil and plans for a second independence referendum are now on the rocks. With an image of a downcast-looking Sturgeon filling its cover, the Guardian focuses on her reference to the "brutal" nature of politics - while the i sums up the story with "Independence dream fades".

"SNP at the crossroads" writes the Financial Times - which describes Sturgeon as a thorn in the side of prime ministers for almost a decade. Its editorial argues Sturgeon's sureness of political touch had been slipping - as her gender recognition reform bill both put her on the wrong side of majority Scottish opinion and triggered a constitutional clash with the UK government to little useful effect. Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph reports that the SNP is now poised to ditch its gender self-identification plans.

Scottish newspapers turn several of Sturgeon's comments into headlines. For the Scotsman it is: "In my head and in my heart I know that the time is now." The Daily Record chooses: "I want my independence" - alongside an image of the First Minister waving to members of the public from Bute House in Edinburgh. The Herald opts for: "I am a human being as well as a politician" - and says her resignation speech was "candid, at times tearful, but generally upbeat". The National, which supports independence, goes with: "It's been the privilege of my life".

The departure of Sturgeon and the announcement by the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, that his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, will not be allowed to stand for the party at the next election are combined into one theme on the Metro's front page. "Sturgone... Corbinned" is its headline - describing yesterday's developments as a "changing of the old guard".

Away from events in Scotland, the Times reports that Britain risks falling behind France as "Nato's foremost military power" in Europe - with a think tank warning that the French have more combat aircraft, more frigates and more troops, despite spending significantly less on defence. The Chancellor has promised to increase defence spending once the government publishes its integrated review of foreign policy next month. However the International Institute for Strategic Studies says it is likely there will be a real-terms cut in British defence spending due to high inflation. In its editorial, the Sun says the defence secretary should be banging on an open Treasury door.

And the FT reports that an Iranian-American billionaire is planning a billion-dollar takeover of Tottenham Hotspur. Quoting two people with "direct knowledge" of the plans, the paper says Jahm Najafi is working with a consortium of investors to structure the bid and is weeks away from making a formal approach for the Premier League club.

Reuters