Nicola Sturgeon resigns – live: Tearful Scottish first minister says ‘politics is brutal’ as she quits

SNP leader has announced she will stand down as first minister of Scotland after eight years

‘My time is now’: Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scotland’s first minister

Nicola Sturgeon lamented the “brutal” nature of politics as she announced her resignation as first minister after more than eight years in the job.

The outgoing FM insisted that recent “pressures” on trans rights issues had no role to play in her decision to resign.

The SNP leader said she was “confident” of leading her party to further electoral success but that the time was “right” for her to step aside.

Speaking at a news conference in Edinburgh earlier, Ms Sturgeon said: “In my head and in my heart I know that the time is now, that it’s right for me, for my party and my country.”

She had been heavily criticsed by some in her own party over her stance on transgender issues and her handling of the Isla Bryson case.

Ms Sturgeon had also come under fire for saying that her party would fight the next general election as a de-facto referendum on Scottish independence, an issue she said the SNP was now “free” to decide following her exit.

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[15 February 2023 10:57 · Matt Mathers]

Sturgeon about to speak

Sturgeon is about to speak at a press conference in Edinburgh.

We’ll bring you updates throughout the address.

Stay tuned for updates as the first minister announces she’s quitting after eight years.

You can also watch the news conference on our YouTube channel:

[15 February 2023 11:09 · Matt Mathers]

Strugeon to remain in post until successor chosen

Sturgeon will remain in her post as first minister until a successor is chosen, Sky News reports.

Angus Robertson, the party’s former leader at Westminster, Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf are among some of those tipped to replace her.

The FM is expected to speak shortly.

[15 February 2023 11:11 · Matt Mathers]

Sturgeon is speaking now.

She thanks reporters for attending the news conference.

Starts by saying the role of FM is the “best in the world”.

[15 February 2023 11:14 · Matt Mathers]

Time is right to stand down - Sturgeon

Sturgeon says she is proud to be the first female and longest-standing incumbent FM.

She adds that she is “very proud” of what her government has achieved over the past eight years.

However, she adds, she has always known that part of good governing is knowing when to stand aside.

She says that time is now.

[15 February 2023 11:15 · Matt Mathers]

Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader?

Who could replace Sturgeon in the top job and lead the charge for Scottish independence? The Independent takes a look at the most likely replacements:

[15 February 2023 11:16 · Matt Mathers]

‘In my heart I know'

She adds that some in her party might feel that her decision has come “too soon”.

But “in my heart I know that time is now,” she says.

Sturgeon adds that it is the right time for her, her party and the country.

[15 February 2023 11:18 · Matt Mathers]

I’ll remain in post until successor chosen

Sturgeon officially confirms her intention to stand down as SNP and first minister.

She says she has already asked her party to begin the process of finding a new leader.

“I will remain in office until my successor is elected,” she adds.

[15 February 2023 11:23 · Matt Mathers]

FM insists decision not due to recent pressure

To those who might be upset by my decision, Sturgeon says, “please know that, while hard - be in no doubt this is really hard for me - my decision comes from a place of duty”.

Sturgeon now starts setting out her reasons for quitting the role.

She insisted the decision is not influenced by short-term pressures.

Sturgeon says the decision comes from a “deeper” and “longer-term assessment”.

[15 February 2023 11:28 · Matt Mathers]

I’ve been wrestling with the decision for weeks

Sturgeon claims she has been “wrestling” with the decision to stand down “for some weeks”.

FM says she has been trying to answer two questions: is carrying on right for me and “more importantly” is carrying on “right for the country”, the part and the independence cause “I have devoted my life to”.

FM says she has been having to work “harder” recently to convince herself that she is the right person to lead both her party and country.

[15 February 2023 11:30 · Matt Mathers]

‘These jobs are hard'

Sturgeon says she has concluded that the answer is “no”, she is not the person to continue leading.

She says, referencing her time as deputy FM, “these jobs are hard”.

In the case of FM this was “relentlessly so”, she adds.