Scotland's papers: Nicola Sturgeon's announces resignation as FM
- Published
"I am a human being as well as a politician," reads the front page of The Herald, one of several newspapers to lead with a quote from Nicola Sturgeon's resignation speech. Scotland's first minister confirmed in an announcement that "shocked politics" that she will step down after eight years in the role, the paper says. Her speech is described as "candid, at times tearful, but generally upbeat".
Ms Sturgeon made the announcement in a "hastily-arranged" press conference in Bute House in Edinburgh, the Scotsman reports. It says the speech sent "shockwaves" through Scotland as it looked ahead to an SNP leadership contest to name the first minister's successor. The SNP's national executive committee will meet on Thursday evening to draw up a timetable for a leadership race.
"I want my independence," reads the Daily Record's front page. It picks up on Ms Sturgeon citing the "physical and mental impact" of the role in her decision to stand down. The SNP leader also said the job allows her "virtually no privacy".
The first minister's decision has been described by her political rivals as a "boost" to unionists, The Times reports. The paper says Labour and Conservative figures reacted with "jubilation" to the announcement, believing it weakens the case for independence and strengthens their electoral hopes in Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon said she "went from being 99% certain about this decision to 100% certain" while attending the recent funeral of SNP stalwart and friend Allan Angus in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, The Press and Journal reports. The paper says Scotland has been "stunned" by the announcement.
The National leads with Ms Sturgeon's comment that serving as first minister has been the "privilege of my life". The paper says that despite pressure over an NHS crisis, a row over transgender prisoners and a police investigation into SNP finances, "no-one expected her to go".
The Scottish Sun says the first minister has achieved her independence, "but not the one she's spent years fighting for". The paper says Ms Sturgeon is stepping down amid a downturn in her popularity and a backlash over gender self-identification laws.
The Scottish Daily Mail says Ms Sturgeon "finally accepted defeat in her relentless bid to lead Scotland out of the UK". It reports the first minister felt it was time to make way for a successor who is better able to "reach across the divide in Scottish politics".
The Scottish Daily Express reports Ms Sturgeon declined to answer questions about a police investigation into SNP finances during the Bute House press conference. Officers have looked into questions surrounding £600,000 of "ring-fenced" funds raised by SNP supporters in 2017, the paper says. The first minister told reporters she would not comment on an ongoing police investigation.
Ms Sturgeon also cited the "brutality" of life in politics as she announced her decision to quit as first minister, the Metro reports. The SNP leader has served in the role since succeeding Alex Salmond in 2014.
The i says the announcement has sparked "turmoil" in the Yes movement, while Labour figures have suggested it could be a "game changer" for Keir Starmer's hopes of an electoral revival in Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon has said she will continue in politics as a backbench MSP until the next Holyrood election, the Edinburgh Evening News reports. Former first minister Alex Salmond says there is "no obvious successor" to Ms Sturgeon, while claiming the independence movement has been "left with no clear strategy", the paper adds.
Ms Sturgeon emphasised the requirement to find a successor who can "drive forward the independence cause", The Courier reports. The first minister insisted the SNP has an "array of talent" from which to select a replacement.
The Glasgow Times gathered reaction from local politicians. Leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken, described Ms Sturgeon as a "magnificent leader", while Scottish Labour leader and Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar said Scotland now requires "new ideas and new passion".
As well as the first minister's announcement, the Evening Telegraph leads with a report on a "disgraceful" Dundee man who left a boot mark on the face of a woman he repeatedly stamped on despite being banned from seeing her.
The Evening Express leads with a report on a man accused to swallowing pills concealed in his underwear to avoid detection.
The Daily Star of Scotland reports the first minister's resignation has come at an inopportune time.