Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scotland’s first minister

Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as Scotland’s first minister after eight years in office.

Per BBC News, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) made the announcement at a news conference at Bute House in Edinburgh at 11am GMT today (February 15).

A source close to Sturgeon previously told the BBC that she had “had enough”.

In a statement to the press, Sturgeon began by saying that being first minister of Scotland had been “the very best job in the world” and a “privilege”.

“I am proud to stand here as the first female, and longest-serving incumbent of this office,” she continued. “And I’m very proud of what has been achieved in the years I’ve been in Bute House.”

Sturgeon went on to say that the time was now “right” for her to leave. “And so today I am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party,” she added.

Later, Sturgeon said her decision to leave was “not a reaction to short term pressures” but came from “a deeper and longer-term assessment”. She explained: “I know it might seem sudden, but I have been wrestling with it […] for weeks.”

The leader’s departure will not be immediate, and she will remain in office until her successor is elected.

Sturgeon assumed office back in November 2014, taking over from Alex Salmond after the Scottish independence referendum. She is the country’s longest-serving first minister, and has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999. Sturgeon became the deputy leader of the SNP in 2004.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated…

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