NICOLA STURGEON has resigned as First Minister of Scotland after more than eight years at Bute House.
The SNP leader announced the decision at a surprise news conference in Edinburgh today, Wednesday, February 15.
She said: “Being First Minister of Scotland is, in my admittedly biased opinion, the very best job in the world.
“It is a privilege beyond measure, one that has sustained and inspired me in good times and through the toughest hours of my toughest days.
“I am proud to stand here as the first female and longest-serving incumbent of this office and I'm very proud of what has been achieved in the years I've been in Bute House.
IN ALLOA: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the campaign trail with MP John Nicolson in 2019 - Picture by Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
“However, since my very first moments in the job I have believed that part of serving well would be to know, almost instinctively, when the time is right to make way for someone else and when that time came to have the courage to do so, even if to many across the country and in my party it might feel too soon.
"In my head and in my heart, I know that time is now, that it is right for me, for my party and for the country and so today I am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party."
Ms Sturgeon has been serving the party since the age of 16 and made clear she is not leaving politics.
She is the longest-serving first minister, having been in office since November 2014, and the first woman to hold the position.
During that time, Nicola Sturgeon visited the Wee County as first minister on a couple of occasions.
IN ALLOA: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opened the campaign hub for Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh in 2015
In 2015 she was in Alloa town centre to open a campaign hub for Westminster candidate Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who went on to serve as MP until 2017.
Then, in 2019, the town centre was abuzz with activity as she visited again to help launch the campaign of current Ochil and South Perthshire MP John Nicolson.
IN ALLOA: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the campaign trail with MP John Nicolson in 2019 - Picture by Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Ms Sturgeon was pictured on the High Street, enjoyed a treat at Syrian-refugee-run Alwen Cakes with the candidate and MPS Keith Brown and got another taste of the country at restaurant Syriana.
IN ALLOA: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the campaign trail with MP John Nicolson in 2019 - Picture by Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
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