Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland's First Minister announces resignation

Nicola Sturgeon has steeped down after eight years as Scotland's first minister

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has announced that she is resigning - which means she is stepping down from her job.

Ms Sturgeon was head of the Scottish government for more than eight years - making her the longest serving, and the first female first minister.

Ms Sturgeon announced her decision to resign at a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, where she said that being first minister was the "very best job in the world".

Now her party - the Scottish National Party (SNP) - will chose a new leader who will take over from Nicola Sturgeon as party leader and Scotland's first minister on Monday, 27 March. She will stay in charge until then.

Why has Nicola Sturgeon stood down as First Minister of Scotland?

"Today I am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party," she said.

She added that some people will be "upset" about her decision to step down, but joked that others will "cope just fine" with the news.

Ms Sturgeon said: "My decision comes from a place of duty and love."

She also confirmed that she will not leave the job right away, which will give time for the next first minister to be elected in the coming weeks.

Ms Sturgeon first entered the Scottish Parliament in 1999, aged 29.

Ms Sturgeon became first minister in November 2014, when she took over from Alex Salmond after the Scottish independence referendum. She was also the leader of the Scottish National Party.

She says she is not leaving politics and will continue campaigning for issues she is passionate about.

Speaking about her time as first minister, she said: "Scotland is fairer today than it was in 2015. There is so much that I am proud of, but there is always so much more to be done."

She also spoke about being in charge during the coronavirus pandemic, saying it was "by far the toughest thing I've done".

Nicola Sturgeon campaigned for Scotland to be independent from the UK in 2014, and a big vote took place where people in Scotland decided they did not want to do that. Ms Sturgeon announced in 2017 that she wanted to try again.

She has had a tough few months recently. She faced criticism for how she has dealt with issues relating to a gender identity Bill, and questions from her own party about how well the campaign for independence is going.

Nicola Sturgeon became Scotland's first minister in 2014

Ms Sturgeon said that she has been thinking about the decision to step down for a long time, and that the "physical and mental impact" of the job had taken its toll on her.

"Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it," she said, adding that the job can only be done for so long, and in her case, is "in danger of becoming too long".

She says: "I'm not expecting violins here but I am a human being as well as a politician."

"Please know that being your first minister has been the privilege of my life," she said.

What's the reaction been?

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Nicola Sturgeon

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked Ms Sturgeon "for her long-standing service" and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said she "served with dedication and passion" and he wished her "all the best for her next steps".

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said she was "a once in a generation politician, driven by an unwavering passion for her country".

Sinn Fein vice-President Michelle O'Neill paid tribute "to the huge strides she has made in advancing the campaign for Scottish independence."

One of Nicola Sturgeon's nephews said that he is "immensely proud" of "Auntie N" adding, "You are, and always will be, my inspiration."

The Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "I am very sorry Nicola Sturgeon has decided to step down as first minister and as SNP leader.

"She has given outstanding leadership to our country, government and party."

"It has been my privilege to support her as deputy first minister."