this is bbc news. a warm welcome and we want to start with some breaking news this morning, that scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon is to resign after more than eight years as head of the scottish government. she is expected to make the announcement at a news conference in edinburgh later this morning. we are waiting for confirmation of the exact time of that news conference, but we will of course bring it to you live here on bbc news. she will be holding that news conference at bute house and we think it is due to begin in about one hour's time, at 11 o'clock this morning. this news has come into us from my colleagues

in scotland. it is not clear exactly when she will leave office, but as i say, she has been head of the scottish government for the last eight years. she has been making headlines in recent weeks because of a wider debate on teenagers�* rights, calling for a wider debate on teenagers�* rights, she defended plans to allow i6—year—olds to change their legal sex. scotland�*s gender recognition bill that she wanted to introduce into scotland brought her into conflict and a clash with the uk government based in westminster, which blocked scotland plus two gender recognition bill. the secretary of state for scotland alisterjack used a special order known as a section 35 order to

prevent that there becoming law on the grounds it would have an adverse impact on the laws. those are laws that apply across scotland, england and wales. that was a claim disputed by the scottish government, butjust to remind you, that gender recognition bill was to allow i6—year—olds to change their legal sex. i should stress, we don�*t know whether nicola sturgeon�*s decision to resign after more than eight years as head of the scottish government is connected with this gender recognition bill and the decision by the uk government to block it, we will know more when she holds that news conference at bute housein holds that news conference at bute house in edinburgh in about one hour�*s time. we don�*t know when she will leave office, but as you can

see, from those pictures that we are watching now, nicola sturgeon, a hugely charismatic figure who is, of course, steered scotland through the covid—i9 pandemic, she became a familiarface on our covid—i9 pandemic, she became a familiar face on our televisions, didn�*t she, as she held those daily press conferences, updating the people of scotland and beyond on the latest situation with culver. she steered scotland through the covid pandemic and this news, by the way, in case you�*re wondering, has come to us from our colleagues in scotland, that nicola sturgeon is expected to resign as scottish first minister in an hour. it is a hastily convened news conference, and we will of course find out then more details as to why she has decided to

go after eight years. i can but speculate, though, that she has been in the headlines recently with her plans to allow i6—year—olds to change their legal sex. and this brought her into conflict with the uk government, which blocked the recognition bill, the scotland gender recognition bill that she wanted to introduce. the uk government said it would have an adverse impact on equalities laws that apply across scotland, england and wales. that, of course, was a claim that was disputed by the scottish government, but this news will come as a shock to both nicola

sturgeon�*s political supporters, and her opponents as well. there have been some speculation that times were tough and, let�*s be honest, nothing in life or in politics lasts forever, and there was a recent poll suggesting that 42% of scots dead want the first minister to step down. that was a poll by panel base. so you might say 42%, well, probably rishi sunak would be quite pleased to have those kind of poll ratings, and the snp undoubtedly still dominates scottish politics, but as i was saying, the policy enshrined

in the gender recognition bill, this policy of gender self declaration has been a point of controversy. there is the next election due in 2026 in scotland, nicola sturgeon had of course talked about making that a referendum on scottish independence, butjust to remind you the policy of gender self declaration, as i say, has proved controversial in recent months and it follows the imprisonment of a double rapist in a women�*s prison, and every news conference that nicola sturgeon has held since then has been dominated by the question, is bracing a man or a woman? and

thatis is bracing a man or a woman? and that is not clearly where she wanted the focus to be, she wanted the focus to be on the snp�*s long cherished because for scottish independence. the gender recognition reform bill, of course, as i say, has been blocked by the uk government on the grounds that this would potentially damage women�*s rights under the uk equality act. and it does a lot of people in scotland agree with that, that they oppose the gender recognition bill, but gender is not the only front on which the politician is fighting, she had fallen out with scotland�*s largest council in glasgow after a leaked report saying it was considering cutting 800

teachers. but that news that nicola sturgeon is to step down as leader after eight yearsjust sturgeon is to step down as leader after eight years just coming in. we are going to talk now to a former scottish national party politician, who served as a member of parliament. very good to with this, i know you are learning this news along with me and our viewers, what is your reaction? i�*m with me and our viewers, what is your reaction?— your reaction? i'm surprised and also somebody _ your reaction? i'm surprised and also somebody who _ your reaction? i'm surprised and also somebody who is _ your reaction? i'm surprised and - also somebody who is disappointed. nicola sturgeon is somebody who has lied with distinction, and if you think about the work she has put in —— somebody who has led with distinction —— she did not put a foot wrong during the covid response reaction, and to the uk decision to

leave the european union, one of the few leaders who had a very clear idea of what we needed to do during that process. similarly during covid, and let�*s not forget, i know you get some newspaper headline sometimes about poll ratings, she is continually pulling better than any other political leader in the uk, the snp continues to have a significant lead over any other political party, so it is sometimes worth that little bit of perspective.— worth that little bit of --ersective. , . ., , worth that little bit of --ersective. , . . , ., perspective. given all that, why do ou think perspective. given all that, why do you think she _ perspective. given all that, why do you think she might _ perspective. given all that, why do you think she might have - perspective. given all that, why do you think she might have taken - perspective. given all that, why do | you think she might have taken this decision? , ., ., �* ., decision? something you don't hear in these programmes _ decision? something you don't hear in these programmes very - decision? something you don't hear in these programmes very often, i decision? something you don't hearl in these programmes very often, but i don�*t know, we will find out at 11 o�*clock when they first minister gives this press conference. there could be a whole range of reasons, i�*ve worked in politics, it is hard, people are critical of politicians, but it is a hard job, it is a stressful job, but it is a hard job, it is a stressfuljob, it can take up a lot of time, and a somebody who has stepped outside politics, there is a big world out there as well, but

this is something that will be on people who are snp members are more broadly, this is somebody who is very popular among scottish public opinion, as shown by opinion polls and elections. this is something that will be disappointing to a lot of people north of the border, and elsewhere in the uk and europe, who admire the first minister�*s work over the past few years. it admire the first minister's work over the past few years. it almost sounds like _ over the past few years. it almost sounds like you _ over the past few years. it almost sounds like you wonder _ over the past few years. it almost sounds like you wonder if - over the past few years. it almost sounds like you wonder if there i over the past few years. it almost sounds like you wonder if there is| sounds like you wonder if there is an echo of jacinda are down sounds like you wonder if there is an echo ofjacinda are down and sounds like you wonder if there is an echo of jacinda are down and new ceiling to step down recently because she had no more left in the tank —— from new ceiling to? nicola sturgeon has recently become embroiled in this row over transgender policies, do you think that has anything to do with the decision? ., . , that has anything to do with the decision? ., ., , , ., , ., decision? not really, this was one iece of decision? not really, this was one piece of legislation _ decision? not really, this was one piece of legislation amongst - decision? not really, this was one | piece of legislation amongst many, something which had passed with labour or liberal democrat, green and some conservative votes in the

scottish parliament, passed overwhelmingly in the scottish parliament, so i don�*t think on that, people are in the snp because they want to deliver independence, they want to deliver independence, the first minister is still very popular, so i don�*t think it was to do with that, i think your point on jacinda are down was a good one, i remember seeing all sorts of theories why she quit and i don�*t know why but there was a man who had done the job for know why but there was a man who had done thejob for six know why but there was a man who had done the job for six years, had a young family, had taken things through covid, covid was exhausting, in these days of 2a hour media we sometimes forget about some of the big events that have happened in recent years, covid knocked the stuffing out of most of us, it was so awful for so many people with so many lives lost and that was a difficult thing for politicians of any colour as well, nicola somebody who led from the front and that with her daily press conferences, really trying to get to grips with the severity and seriousness of the situation, and i think that is one of many things that will be a

legacy, a positive legacy for the first minister. it�*s legacy, a positive legacy for the first minister.— first minister. it's interesting, the bbc plus _ first minister. it's interesting, the bbc plus 's _ first minister. it's interesting, the bbc plus 's chief— first minister. it's interesting, the bbc plus 's chief political. the bbc plus �*s chief political correspondent nick earley is reporting a source close to miss sturgeon saying quote she has had enough". i suppose the question therefore is what might she have had enough of? therefore is what might she have had enou:h of? ., ., ~' therefore is what might she have had enou:h of? , .,, ., enough of? look, she has done the 'ob. i enough of? look, she has done the job- i don't — enough of? look, she has done the job. i don't think— enough of? look, she has done the job. i don't think anybody _ enough of? look, she has done the job. i don't think anybody could - job. i don�*t think anybody could criticise, even her worst enemies could not criticise the christmas of not putting on a ship. she has been christmas for eight years, was deputy first minister before that, —— she has been deputy first ministerfor —— she has been deputy first minister for eight years. —— she has been deputy first ministerfor eight years. —— she has been first ministerfor ministerfor eight years. —— she has been first minister for eight years. we will see what she has to say to that sometimes we forget the human in politics, regardless of the party colour. it in politics, regardless of the party colour. , ., . ., , colour. it is not clear if she will stand down _ colour. it is not clear if she will stand down immediately - colour. it is not clear if she will stand down immediately or - colour. it is not clear if she will - stand down immediately or continue in the role until a new snp leader

is elected. because this has come as such a short, it is such unexpected news, can you give us a sense of any sort of potential leaders who could be waiting in the wings?— sort of potential leaders who could be waiting in the wings? yeah, look, there are plenty _ be waiting in the wings? yeah, look, there are plenty in _ be waiting in the wings? yeah, look, there are plenty in the _ be waiting in the wings? yeah, look, there are plenty in the snp. - be waiting in the wings? yeah, look, there are plenty in the snp. i - be waiting in the wings? yeah, look, there are plenty in the snp. i think l there are plenty in the snp. i think sometimes, i rememberwhen there are plenty in the snp. i think sometimes, i remember when alex albon stepped down as leader —— alex salmond, there was talk that there was no one else, who could fill issues which mcnicol has done so very effectively. so you have a range of people who hold ministerial office, cabinet office, who could step up to that. it is one of these things were people think, in a few years ago when nicola took over from alex, everyone thought it would be a disaster for the snp but people vote for the snp because they believe in independence in nicola has done a very good job of this first minister and as an advocate of independence. it will be big shoes to fill, there is no question of that, but there are a number of people who would be

capable of doing so. we are a number of people who would be capable of doing so.— capable of doing so. we are very crateful capable of doing so. we are very grateful for _ capable of doing so. we are very grateful for your— capable of doing so. we are very grateful for your time _ capable of doing so. we are very grateful for your time and - capable of doing so. we are very i grateful for your time and reacting so quickly to that surprise news nicola sturgeon is to resign after eight years in power. let�*s speak to our scotland correspondent james sharp. this newsjust breaking within the last ten minutes or so. bring us up—to—date with exactly what we know. bring us up-to-date with exactly what we know.— what we know. well, i did really come as a _ what we know. well, i did really come as a big — what we know. well, i did really come as a big surprise. -- - what we know. well, i did really come as a big surprise. -- it - what we know. well, i did really| come as a big surprise. -- it did. come as a big surprise. —— it did. just after nine o�*clock we started hearing they would be a news conference at st andrews house, normally were scottish government news conferences are held. this one out of the blue, no expectation yesterday this would be happening, with the first minister, and then just before ten o�*clock we started

to hear nicola sturgeon was planning to hear nicola sturgeon was planning to stand down. it�*s true, the most surprising thing about it, really, is there was no warning of it at all. no expectation yesterday our earlier this morning, is that something like this might be happening. and maybe that is, i suppose, part of the, part of nicola sturgeon�*s exit plan, that she did not want people to be speculating for weeks or months about her future, she wanted to do it in her own time in her own way. i think it�*s fair to say people have been asking questions about what she wants to do in the future, given that there have been so many challenges for her is the first minister of scotland, but also as leader of the snp and she has been in power, first minister ever since just after the referendum in 2014, so that is a period of more than eight years, a long time to be in

the topjob and eight years, a long time to be in the top job and there have been some extraordinary challenges, not least culver where she was really at the front of the scottish government�*s attempts to deal with that enormous crisis, and the pressure of those two years alone would have been enough to put immense difficulties on any politician. she got through that and then she had to confront all the challenges ahead, including theissue, all the challenges ahead, including the issue, which of course is most important to the snp, and that is how do they achieve independence? that issue about how to achieve independence has been overshadowed, hasn�*t? in recent weeks over this row over the proposed gender recognition bill. not always easy to understand, just talk us through that particular controversy. weill.

that particular controversy. well, it is the case _ that particular controversy. well, it is the case that _ that particular controversy. well, it is the case that the _ that particular controversy. well, it is the case that the scottish - it is the case that the scottish government, nicola sturgeon wants to reform how people who are transgender get that officially legally accepted, that debate has been going on in scotland for at least six years, probably more. that�*s the amount of time they have been trying to get legislation through. and that came to a head at the end of last year when the scottish government did get its transgender legislation through, the gender recognition reform legislation, which essentially made it easier for people to get a gender recognition certificate, to acknowledge their acquired gender, and also made it possible, makes it possible for people who are as young as 16 to change their legally recognised gender, but that was then blocked by the uk government, in januaryjust blocked by the uk government, in january just last blocked by the uk government, in januaryjust last month, because january just last month, because they januaryjust last month, because they said it would interfere with equality legislation across the whole of the uk. all of those difficulties have been confronted

are being dealt with by the scottish government, they are trying to decide whether there will be a legal challenge to what the uk government has done, but any sense, obviously thatis has done, but any sense, obviously that is an important issue, but as steven missing earlier on, it is not necessarily the central issue, of large significance is the is the fact the snp is planning to hold a special conference next month about how the scottish government, how the scottish national party goes for that independence push we were talking about earlier on. nicola sturgeon�*s plan had been for the next general election to be as it�*s been described a de facto referendum so that an essence of more than 50% of the electorate supported the snp in an election, that would be seen as a vote for independence. that was the plan, that was the policy of

nicola sturgeon in the scottish government, it has come under question. a lot of people said is that the right way for the snp to fight the next election? so that is what the special conference was going to debate, and i think there is a real possibility that that conference would have thee decided that that was not the right policy, it may decide that that is not the right policy and then you have a difficulty for nicola sturgeon that she has pushed this policy, special conference of the party may be poised to reject it, and then you have to ask, what does that mean for the future of nicola sturgeon as first minister? there are other issues, other difficulties as well. but i think that maybe one of the central issue is that she is looking forward to, any sense it is sometimes said to be an effective politician or leader you need to be two or three steps ahead of the opposition of everyone else, and maybe that is what we are seeing here, the nicola sturgeon is

anticipating a difficulty that she is going to be facing in the next month or two. and it�*s dealing with the before it arises. it is interesting _ the before it arises. it is interesting that - the before it arises. it is interesting that she - the before it arises. it is interesting that she will| the before it arises. it is interesting that she will stand down without realising her key political mission of independence for scotland. i�*m also interested in what our chief political correspondent nick eric they are saying, reporting a source close to nicola sturgeon saying, and i quote, she has had enough. as i put it to stephen gethin isjust she has had enough. as i put it to stephen gethin is just a little earlier, it has echoes of the former new zealand prime minister standing down, you see her talking to the media and addressing a news conferences, doing the work of a politician, have you had any sense at all of perhaps itjust getting too much? it has been too long?

nicola sturgeon, think it is fair to say is a great admirer of the new zealand prime minister. if she was doing something similar to the way jacinda developed and ended her career then that would not be at all out of character, and i think it is fair, it is a difficult thing to judge when you look at a politician, first minister of scotland looking, called conferences, addressing difficult questions being put to them, it is hard tojudge their made and how they�*re coping with the pressures they constantly under, but it, i did have a sense over the last few weeks that she was holding her own, still doing herjob, but possibly not with the same energy, not with the same assertiveness as she sometimes has done in the past. if you look at her performances during first minister�*s questions, when she has faced really difficult, so she recalled call them interrogations, perhaps, from the

leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, yes, she responds, yes, she answers those questions, but i think you could probably say possibly not with the same energy and vigour as she has donein same energy and vigour as she has done in the past, so it may be the case. whether she will use these words when she gives her press conference in what, i suppose about 40 minutes�* time, whether she will say that there is not much fuel left in the tanker whether she will find another way to address this aspect of the situation. i think it�*s possible that after more than eight years in this very high—pressure job, she will feel perhaps someone else who is younger, who has more energy, more vigour, a approach to the problems she has been dealing with for the past eight plus years, she may feel that someone else is better capable of opening a new chapter in the history of the snp,

and a history of the snp as the government of scotland. it is worth remembering her rise to power, she rose unopposed after the ill—fated, as it turned out, independence referendum in 2014. she took over from alex salmond, her mentor whom she would later come into conflict with in the years to come over the handling of sexual harassment allegations against him, but in terms of who might come after her, what are your thoughts on that? there is one name i think that will be at the forefront of attention, over the coming hours and days, and thatis over the coming hours and days, and that is probably kate forbes. the finance secretary who has been on maternity leave, but is returning to herjob. in fact, maternity leave, but is returning to herjob. infact, her maternity leave, but is returning to herjob. in fact, her place was taken while she has been away by

john swinney, the deputy first minister. a real stalwart of the scottish national party, has been around a long time, a contemporary of people like alex salmond, and he has done thejob of people like alex salmond, and he has done the job of leading the snp before. he would definitely be seen, i think, is the establishment in the snp as a safe pair of hands, someone who could be trusted in an interim period, but i think a lot of people in the snp and probably more widely in the snp and probably more widely in the snp and probably more widely in the political sphere in scotland will be looking at kate forbes, because she is young, confident, seems to be highly capable of handling her brief, and i think from nicola sturgeon�*s point of view, she would probably look to kate forbes as someone who could continue her legacy, someone she could trust to carry on with the kind of policy she is interested in. there certainly are differences between those two

figures in the snp, in terms of some policies, that is definitely true, but in general i think a lot of people would look to kate forbes or perhaps john people would look to kate forbes or perhaszohn swinney people would look to kate forbes or perhaps john swinney as people would look to kate forbes or perhaszohn swinney as someone who could leave the party wraps on an interim basis, or may be longer term. what we don�*t know at the moment is exactly what the exit strategy is. i would be very surprised if this was going to happen quickly, given that we know nicola sturgeon is someone who plans very carefully, strategise as in terms of her own career and in terms of the scottish government and the snp. you would expect this would be quite a careful transition period, that she would want to be confident that she would want to be confident that whoever is taking over from her will have an opportunity to get their feet will have an opportunity to get theirfeet under the will have an opportunity to get their feet under the dress, as will have an opportunity to get theirfeet under the dress, as it were, and to be able to understand what the challenges of the job are, what the challenges of the job are, what the challenges of the job are, what the issues are they will face in the coming months. so i would

expect, of course we don�*t know won�*t have a sense for another half an hour or so, won�*t have a sense for another half an hour orso, but won�*t have a sense for another half an hour or so, but i would expect this will be quite a measured transition period, so perhaps it might be a few months before there is a new first minister in place, and that in itself would be an issue as well, because that person would have to be voted for by the scottish parliament, and of course, it would have to be voted for by the snp, they would have to choose their leader in the scottish parliament, so all those things are big questions we would hope to reach towards some sense of an answer in the coming hours. we towards some sense of an answer in the coming hours— the coming hours. we will leave it there for now, _ the coming hours. we will leave it there for now, good _ the coming hours. we will leave it there for now, good to _ the coming hours. we will leave it there for now, good to talk- the coming hours. we will leave it there for now, good to talk to - the coming hours. we will leave it| there for now, good to talk to you. we will know more about the reasons for nicola sturgeon deciding to step down after eight years in the post in the next half an hour or so. she will be holding a news conference in

edinburgh and we will of course be bringing you that live here on bbc news. in the meantime, let�*s talk to the liberal democrat msp for edinburgh western, alex cole hamilton. we are really grateful for you joining us here on bbc news. this news is a surprise that nicola sturgeon is stepping down. what is your reaction? i sturgeon is stepping down. what is your reaction?— sturgeon is stepping down. what is your reaction? i am as astonished as the rest of you- _ your reaction? i am as astonished as the rest of you. we _ your reaction? i am as astonished as the rest of you. we only _ your reaction? i am as astonished as the rest of you. we onlyjust - your reaction? i am as astonished as the rest of you. we onlyjust heard l the rest of you. we onlyjust heard this news a few minutes ago. as a fellow political leader, it is not a day for ad hominem political attacks, it is only right that we look back on nicola sturgeon plus my career, is the longest serving first minister my first minister who took scotland through a global pandemic, and you will all recall the pictures of the first minister from bute house every lunchtime offering comfort and advice, and to the people of scotland, and i would not take that away from, that was one heck of a shift. what matters now is

that scotland needs leadership. we have, because of years of snp neglect and ministerial disinterest, some of the worst waiting times in our in scotland. suffering acutely from the cost of living emergency, we cannot afford to be rudderless at a time when scotland is fighting fires on almost every front. so i hope the snp move swiftly to appoint a new leader, and we can get stability restored, but there are many challenges ahead of them. this many challenges ahead of them. as you say, she steered scotland through the covid pandemic, brexit as well, and her poll ratings, really, many leaders would be very grateful for poll ratings in the high 50s, she remains a popular figure in scotland. i do wonder how much you think the recent debate over transgender rights and her decision to try to introduce a

gender recognition bill into scotland, how much that might have played into this decision and how divisive that issue has been in scotland? it divisive that issue has been in scotland?— divisive that issue has been in scotland? . ., , , scotland? it has certainly been divisive, but _ scotland? it has certainly been divisive, but at _ scotland? it has certainly been divisive, but at the _ scotland? it has certainly been divisive, but at the same - scotland? it has certainly been divisive, but at the same time | scotland? it has certainly been | divisive, but at the same time i think it would be wrong for me to certainly take over the bones of nicola sturgeon plus my premiership when she still has not even resigned yet. i think that is for the coming days and will be for pundits and political commentators. like i say, i lead the scottish liberal democrats in scotland, i have had a lot of cause to be in close proximity to nicola over the eight months of my premiership in green rooms and events and she has also in fairly decent to me behind the cameras, and i pass on my respects to her on what must have been a very difficult decision. i remember once, actually, a personal story, nicola sturgeon came over to me in the scottish parliament a couple of days... i had to resuscitate my

daughter once when she choked on a coin and it was a dramatic moment for me and my family very hard and she gave me personal words of comfort which were unexpected, because a relationship in the chamber had always been quite combative, so today, like i said at the start, not a day for political attacks, think it�*s important we give her the credit she is due. there are certainly a lot of things where she is not due credit, and we will, i�*m sure, unless those in the fullness of time. i have just talked about them, any problems facing our country, largely caused by the division around independence, which is characterised her time as first minister. but like i say, you know, i think it would be wrong for me to use today to launch ad hominem political attacks against her career. ., ., political attacks against her career. ., . career. no, he what you say. if your doctor 0k? —

career. no, he what you say. if your doctor 0k? yes. — career. no, he what you say. if your doctor 0k? yes, this _ career. no, he what you say. if your doctor 0k? yes, this was _ career. no, he what you say. if your doctor 0k? yes, this was about - career. no, he what you say. if your doctor 0k? yes, this was about five j doctor 0k? yes, this was about five ears aro doctor 0k? yes, this was about five years ago -- _ doctor 0k? yes, this was about five years ago -- your— doctor 0k? yes, this was about five years ago -- your daughter. - doctor 0k? yes, this was about five years ago -- your daughter. my - doctor 0k? yes, this was about five i years ago -- your daughter. my mum years ago —— your daughter. my mum good, i wanted to play that up. i get exactly what you say, —— clear that up. get exactly what you say, -- clear that u -. ~ , get exactly what you say, -- clear that u. y . get exactly what you say, -- clear thatu. y . , get exactly what you say, -- clear thatu. g . , . that up. my colleague is reporting a source close — that up. my colleague is reporting a source close to _ that up. my colleague is reporting a source close to nicola _ that up. my colleague is reporting a source close to nicola sturgeon - source close to nicola sturgeon saying, and i�*m courting, that she has had enough. i wonder, you are not the first minister of scotland, i am sure you would like to be but you are the leader of a party there and i wonder if you can give us some kind of insight into the pressures that she will have been facing? i'm uuite that she will have been facing? i“n quite certain she has had enough. i know she has been under quite a lot of immense personal strain and personal attack. you mentioned the gender recognition reform bill and i think everyone involved with that has faced a similar level, of rather unjustified attack, but there was more to it. there were questions around the family�*s finances, not

hers, but loans made by her husband. there were lots of questions that had gone unanswered. the feeling that the independence project, a poll at the weekend suggested a full 67% of the public did not support nicola sturgeon�*s proposed strategy to hold the next general election as a referendum on scottish independence, a de facto referendum, as she called it. i certainly had no truck with that and i don�*t think politicians get to tell the people what i election is about. they will tell us. this election if anything will be about waiting times and the cost of living emergency we in scotland are facing as is much of the rest of the uk. it is hard to say what is the straw that broke the camel�*s back might have been but it�*s quite clear she has been under immense strain. it�*s a tough job,

leading a political party you don�*t often get much credit for what you do but you certainly get lots of people willing to tell you when you have dropped the ball. but like i say, listen, this is not something i will get into today. i don�*t think it�*s right for me to launch attacks at nicola sturgeon today. it is right she has a couple of days where people reflect on her contribution to scotland, particularly through the pandemic, and i�*m sure we will see a final analysis of her time as first minister.— see a final analysis of her time as first minister. alex cole-hamilton, we are grateful _ first minister. alex cole-hamilton, we are grateful for— first minister. alex cole-hamilton, we are grateful for you _ first minister. alex cole-hamilton, we are grateful for you joining - first minister. alex cole-hamilton, we are grateful for you joining us i we are grateful for you joining us on bbc news and thank you for talking to us.— a month ago nicola sturgeon spoke to laura kuenssberg and was asked whether she had enough in the tank to keep going. do you think you are the leader who will take scotland to independence? i would like to think so. i think scotland — i would like to think so. i think scotland will be independent, of

course — scotland will be independent, of course. nobody would believe me if i said i_ course. nobody would believe me if i said i would — course. nobody would believe me if i said i would rather it was someone else _ said i would rather it was someone else but _ said i would rather it was someone else. but for me, who the leader is that takes— else. but for me, who the leader is that takes scotland to independence is less— that takes scotland to independence is less important than scotland becoming an independent nation. do becoming an independent nation. dy: you still becoming an independent nation. drr you still feel it will be you? becoming an independent nation. do you still feel it will be you? yes - becoming an independent nation. do you still feel it will be you? yes i - you still feel it will be you? yes i do. you still feel it will be you? yes i do- jacinda _ you still feel it will be you? yes i do. jacinda ardern _ you still feel it will be you? yes i do. jacinda ardern said - you still feel it will be you? yes i do. jacinda ardern said she - you still feel it will be you? yes i | do. jacinda ardern said she didn't feel there was _ do. jacinda ardern said she didn't feel there was enough _ do. jacinda ardern said she didn't feel there was enough and - do. jacinda ardern said she didn't feel there was enough and to - feel there was enough and to continue. what about you? there is [en in continue. what about you? there is plenty in the _ continue. what about you? there is plenty in the tank— continue. what about you? there is plenty in the tank at _ continue. what about you? there is plenty in the tank at the _ continue. what about you? there is plenty in the tank at the moment. l continue. what about you? there is plenty in the tank at the moment. i | plenty in the tank at the moment. i don't _ plenty in the tank at the moment. i don'tiust_ plenty in the tank at the moment. i don'tjust mean on a single day. everybody— don'tjust mean on a single day. everybody wakes up sometimes and think they— everybody wakes up sometimes and think they don't have enough, but if i think they don't have enough, but if i ever— think they don't have enough, but if i ever reach— think they don't have enough, but if i ever reach the point where she think they don't have enough, but if lever reach the point where she has clearly _ lever reach the point where she has clearly reached, where l lever reach the point where she has clearly reached, where i don't think i clearly reached, where i don't think i can— clearly reached, where i don't think i can give _ clearly reached, where i don't think i can give the job everything it deserves— i can give the job everything it deserves then i hope i have the same courage _ deserves then i hope i have the same courage she _ deserves then i hope i have the same courage she has had in saying, this is the _ courage she has had in saying, this is the point — courage she has had in saying, this is the point to go. for the avoidance of all doubt, i is the point to go. for the avoidance of all doubt, ldon't feel anywhere — avoidance of all doubt, ldon't feel anywhere near that right now. nowhere _ anywhere near that right now. nowhere near. interesting, nowhere near. that was nicola sturgeon talking to laura kuenssberg about a month ago. let�*s get more on this now with our political correspondent, jonathan blake. everybody we have spoken to so far

has used the same sort of language, astonished, surprised, no one saw this resignation coming, did they? no, realsurprise this resignation coming, did they? no, real surprise at westminster as well as everywhere else to the news from nicola sturgeon that we expect to be confirmed at the news conference in the next half an hour or so. and people perhaps asking having seen the exchange with laura kuenssberg a few weeks ago, what has changed since then, or maybe she didn�*t have a choice, whatever was on her mind about her political future, to answer questions in those terms. because had she given even the slightest hint she was thinking about stepping off the political stage then it would have been seized on as a signal that she was on her way out. but it�*s a quiet week in westminster, as it is in edinburgh. parliament is on recess so no mps are here to diejust parliament is on recess so no mps are here to die just the news. they are here to die just the news. they are all away in their constituencies. but given her prominence as first minister in

scotland, of course, as we have been reflecting, her influence and impact in that role has been felt far beyond the scottish parliament and far beyond scotland and across the rest of the uk, including here at westminster. of course, on the issue of independence, which is her political priority, her raison d�*etre as a politician leading the scottish national party, that issue has come to prominence and it�*s something she has fought for and something she has fought for and something that has influenced politics here at westminster as well. the conservative party, their unionist stance and unionist approach to politics, wanting the uk to stay as one, as it is now, and campaigning against scottish independence, they have at times seemed to be on the back foot on that and have had to make the case a new over and over again that the uk should indeed stay together. and looking at the impact on labour, of

course labour is now down to just a handful of westminster parliamentary seats in scotland, given the dominance of the snp in the last few general elections. that has put them at a real hindrance in terms of coming to power here at westminster. they will need to, if they want to, sir keir starmer�*s party here at westminster, need to gain seats back from the snp in scotland in some numbers. and then of course, constitutionally we have seen in recent weeks that come to a head over the gender recognition laws, which the scottish parliament has passed and nicola sturgeon is attempting to bring in, they were blocked by the uk government and by rishi sunak here in westminster. that almost certainly leading to a legal fight in the supreme court. so yes, news of nicola sturgeon�*s

departure, whatever the terms and timeline she has set out, and we are yet to hear the details from her, has definitely come as a surprise to many here at westminster and something which they will be following closely from here on. don�*t go away, because ijust want to take our viewers to this live shot, the podium at... that�*s unfortunate! i was going to show you the podium where nicola sturgeon will be standing in the next 20 odd minutes or so to officially announce that she is standing down as first minister of scotland and the leader of the scottish national party. she will be making that statement from bute house, which is her official residence in edinburgh. in the meantime, let�*s talk again now to james shaw, our scotland correspondent. james, good to have you with us. we are expecting that

news conference with nicola sturgeon in the next 20 minutes or so. we will bring you that live on bbc news. presumably no sense at the moment and you have had no further update as to what she might say. nothing on that score yet. i was reflecting on how significant a moment this is. you probably have to go back to 2014, after the independence referendum that was held in september, when the no vote was in the majority, meaning independence was not going to happen, a crushing defeat for all those people who had been campaigning for yes and campaigning for independence for many years. in the immediate aftermath of that result, alex salmond resigned. that in a sense was a shock because he was such a dominant figure in scottish politics at that time but

it was expected because his mission hadn�*t reached its conclusion. heading forward eight or nine years later, here we are in a different era of scottish politics where the dominant figure has been nicola sturgeon for more than eight years. this is another one of those moments, i think, this is another one of those moments, ithink, in this is another one of those moments, i think, in scottish political history where a very big figure looks as if they are about to leave the stage and everyone is asking, why is it happening and what will happen next. at that time in 2014 it was pretty clear that nicola sturgeon was alex salmond�*s anointed successor, they had done a deal a few years earlier where nicola sturgeon agreed to put aside her leadership aspirations in favour of alex salmond, which is why she was able to move into the top job so smoothly back then. there is nothing similar really at the moment in

terms of there being an anointed successor to nicola sturgeon. perhaps a figure like that will emerge in the coming days. but i think it�*s a difficult moment in scottish politics and in particular for the snp because the party has relied so heavily on her leadership for almost a decade. she has been absolutely the key figure, head and shoulders above everyone else. when you think about the political profile that nicola sturgeon has, notjust in scotland but in the rest of the uk and in a broader sense as well, she has been a very big figure indeed. arguably as big as alex salmond, and he did dominate the landscape for quite a long time. but nicola sturgeon i think in a sense has really you could say overshadowed him. she took over from him when that part of the project failed, took up the baton and took it forward and tried to reach that

goal of an independence referendum and certainly that has not been achieved. we have reflected on that already. as has been said, this is something that will not happen now during nicola sturgeon�*s time as first minister and leader of the snp. but thejob first minister and leader of the snp. but the job for those strategists within the party is to figure out how they can do it, who is the person who will give their membership the hope and confidence that the project will be pushed forward, because that really is what holds the snp together, the aspiration to get a referendum or to achieve perhaps another means of getting scottish independence. it is so interesting you say that, because of course she stands down without realising her key political mission, doesn�*t she, which is independence for scotland. i know next month there was to be a meeting to discuss

there was to be a meeting to discuss the holding of treating the next uk election as a de facto referendum on scottish independence. how controversial was that meeting likely to be? i controversial was that meeting likely to be?— controversial was that meeting likel to be? ~ , . likely to be? i think the prospect is that that _ likely to be? i think the prospect is that that was _ likely to be? i think the prospect is that that was going _ likely to be? i think the prospect is that that was going to - likely to be? i think the prospect is that that was going to be - likely to be? i think the prospect is that that was going to be very| is that that was going to be very difficult for nicola sturgeon is the leader of the snp. how the choreography of that will be managed, because at the moment of course, as well as being first minister, nicola sturgeon is also the leader of the snp, will that conference be used to elect a new leader? we simply don�*t know that and it�*s a matterfor leader? we simply don�*t know that and it�*s a matter for nicola sturgeon, leader of the snp and the party itself to decide how it manages any transition in terms of the leadership of the party, setting aside what will happen in terms of who is the next first minister of scotland. but yes, i think it would have been a very difficult

conference, special conference for nicola sturgeon because she has nailed her colours to the massed in terms of saying that the next general election would be a de facto referendum on independence, and that has proved extremely controversial. many people saying, is that really the only policy that a political party wants to go into a general election with given that we have a cost of living crisis, given there is a war in ukraine at the moment, which poses questions for the whole of europe. would we simply want to say to the electorate, vote for us because we will give you independence? many voices have been saying that might not be the way to win enough votes to get a majority, so there are big questions about that policy and i think there is a very real chance that it will change. exactly how it will change is difficult tojudge change. exactly how it will change is difficult to judge but clearly there will be a lot of people in the

snp thinking, you can�*t win an election simply by saying you will achieve independence and a vote for the snp is a vote for independence and that�*s the main thing you are voting for. and it certainly has been the case in the past, of course, independence is always on an snp manifesto, it�*s what holds the party together, but it also campaigns vigorously on other issues like the health service and many other domestic issues, and those policies in the past have won the snp elections. so that was going to be a key test for nicola sturgeon. she may well have looked forward to that special conference and is thought there could be a difficulty and there needs to be someone new to do with the problem is her party is facing. i do with the problem is her party is facina. , , , , facing. i guess she will be remembered _ facing. i guess she will be remembered best - facing. i guess she will be remembered best for - facing. i guess she will be remembered best for her| facing. i guess she will be - remembered best for her fight for scottish independence but also for her role during the covid—19 pandemic. she became a very familiar face, a daily face, fronting up the

news conferences, updating the scottish people on the latest situation with the pandemic. what she deemed to have steered scotland�*s successfully through the crisis questioning are looking at those two issues, on the one hand if you look at the independence issue, in the cold light of day you have to ask, what did nicola sturgeon achieve for ask, what did nicola sturgeon achiev ., ,, ., achieve for the snp and getting scotland closer _ achieve for the snp and getting scotland closer to _ achieve for the snp and getting i scotland closer to independence. achieve for the snp and getting - scotland closer to independence. and thatis scotland closer to independence. and that is an open question. is the snp and scotland any closer to independence than it was in 2014? on the face of it no. opinion polls have not moved radically over the course of the eight years. you could say she steadied the ship and kept it on course, you could certainly argue that, but comparing that with what she did in terms of the covid pandemic and crisis, i think that�*s quite a contrast, because during those two years it was very clear from the daily press conferences that she gave that she was always

there, as the political leader of scotland, as a leader notjust for people who supported the snp but for everyone in scotland, that she was there giving the updates on how the scottish government was handling the pandemic, in terms of closing things down to protect people from infection spreading, or opening up, and at times that happen more slowly and at times that happen more slowly and cautiously than it did in other parts of the uk. i think genuinely a lot of people in scotland will give her credit for that, that if you compare her to the uk prime minister at the time, borisjohnson, nicola sturgeon was a very stable and steady presents all the way through the pandemic and i think people found that reassuring. whether it was just a case of the fact that she was just a case of the fact that she was more effective at getting the message across or whether the actual management of the pandemic was better in scotland, that�*s a question that you can debate, but in

terms of being a figure that people in scotland knew was there and had her eye on the ball and was looking out for people�*s interests, i think a lot of people in scotland felt at the time and probably will still feel when they look back on the pandemic that nicola sturgeon did do a job that they could respect and that many people admired her for. tributes coming in for her time at scottish first minister. i�*m having a look at a tweet from the snp mp stuart mcdonald who describes nicola sturgeon as the finest public servant of the devolution age. nicola sturgeon is the finest public servant of the devolution age, the mp for glasgow south tweets, sharing a photograph of himself with nicola sturgeon. he goes on to say her

public service, personal resilience and commitment to scotland is unmatched and she has served our party unlike anyone else. she will be an enormous loss as first minister and snp leader. that�*s snp mp stewart mcdonald, a close political ally of nicola sturgeon, reacting to the news that nicola sturgeon is to resign. i�*m joined now by political commentator iain macwhirter who just this morning wrote a piece in the spectator called "could it soon be game over for nicola sturgeon?" what did you know that the rest of us didn�*t? i what did you know that the rest of us didn't? .., �* . ., what did you know that the rest of us didn't? �* . ., , , us didn't? i can't claim response abili for us didn't? i can't claim response ability for nicola _ us didn't? i can't claim response ability for nicola sturgeon - us didn't? i can't claim response i ability for nicola sturgeon deciding to step down, but it has been clear to step down, but it has been clear to a number of us who have observed her over the years, let�*s say her demeanour has been less than positive in the past few weeks.

there is a catalogue of problems that have afflicted her administration recently, notjust administration recently, not just the administration recently, notjust the transgender legislation, the gender recognition reform bill, which is currently stalled and was called in by the uk government under section 35 of the scotland act. it�*s notjust section 35 of the scotland act. it�*s not just that. section 35 of the scotland act. it�*s notjust that. there are endemic problems in the national health service with the head of the bma in scotland saying theyjust can�*t continue, the nhs is broken in large parts of the country. a whole succession of measures like the deposit returns scheme, which you would think would not cause a significant problem for a political leader. this is the idea, which will be introduced in a couple of years time that people will be able to pay a deposit. it has led to criticism in scotland about that. there are continued problems with education. but above all i think she has made

no secret in recent years, the last couple of years, that she wants to have another job after couple of years, that she wants to have anotherjob after politics, either writing a book. she has even said she would like to be a foster parent. it�*s expected she would be looking for some kind of big internationaljob in human rights, possibly as an lgbtqiak ambassador of some kind and her gender legislation was the main selling point of that for her future career trajectory. that has now fallen into a crisis, notjust as a result of it being called in by the uk government but because of the scandal about transgender rapists being put in a female prison in scotland. she has been under huge pressure from this at every single press conference and i think she has decided that there is the time to call it a day. it echoes what our chief political correspondent nick eardley was reporting, that a source had told

him that she had had enough. it echoes what new zealand prime ministerjacinda ardern said recently, that she didn�*t have enoughin recently, that she didn�*t have enough in the tank. it�*s clearly a very demanding job but you are suggesting there may be reasons beyond that. she suggesting there may be reasons beyond that-— suggesting there may be reasons beyond that. she has always been com ared beyond that. she has always been compared to _ beyond that. she has always been compared to jacinda _ beyond that. she has always been compared to jacinda ardern, - beyond that. she has always been - compared to jacinda ardern, although when she left, the new zealand prime minister decided to stand down, nicola sturgeon said she still had plenty left in her tank. she has been at the top for a very long time. nearly nine years as first minister of scotland. before that she was deputy leader, she was responsible for the national health service for nearly a decade, since 2004. and i think if you are in top—level politics, particularly in scotland where it is fairly rough for a long period, it takes its

toll. she has been dropping very broad hints in recent months and years that she wants to have another job after politics. she is 55 now. she will be looking ahead and thinking, do i want to go ahead to 2024, which is the next uk general election. she had proposed controversially, to turn this general election into a de facto referendum on independence. this was following the rejection by the uk supreme court of her bill to hold a repeat independence referendum, this was last november. that has now collapsed in a heap as well because it has created a deep rift within the party itself, many msps and mps are deeply unhappy about the idea, not least because they think it�*s almost certain to fail. turning a general election into a plebiscite, effectively, is not only kind of

arrogant democratically because you are telling voters what they are supposed to vote on, but it�*s also very unlikely to succeed because it would require 50% of the voters to support it in that general election, and even in winter 15, support it in that general election, and even in winter15, the so—called tsunami election where the snp won 56 out of 59 seats, even then they didn�*t reach 50% of the votes. there will be a special conference convened next month to debate it, and it looked as though it will become a showcase for all the problems going wrong with her administration so i think that has a lot to do with it. i administration so i think that has a lot to do with it.— lot to do with it. i am sorry to interrupt _ lot to do with it. i am sorry to interrupt you. _ lot to do with it. i am sorry to interrupt you, iain _ lot to do with it. i am sorry to l interrupt you, iain macwhirter. lot to do with it. i am sorry to - interrupt you, iain macwhirter. we have to stop you because we are waiting for that news conference at 11 o�*clock. many thanks for your time. before we go to that news conference we want to have a brief word with professor sirjohn curtice, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. john,

i�*m assuming this news has come as much of a surprise to you as it did to the rest of us but had the polling been hinting at this resignation in any way? if that's the case you — resignation in any way? if that's the case you have _ resignation in any way? if that's the case you have to _ resignation in any way? if that's the case you have to decide - resignation in any way? if that's - the case you have to decide whether the case you have to decide whether the glass is half full or half empty. the truth is that nicola sturgeon is still by far and away the most popular leader in scotland. her party is still dominant so far as the electorate is concerned. that said, however, popularity is now, shall we say, as low as it has been at any point in her tenure as first minister. she was very, very popular in the early months and years and that reached a point where roughly half of the people felt she was doing ok and half of people thought she wasn�*t. she got a very substantial boost during the pandemic where she was regarded as a very effective communicator and leader of her country, in contrast to borisjohnson. but that has been gradually diminishing. and recently,

as iain macwhirter was explaining, she has hit much more choppy waters politically but she is still in a position where roughly as many people think she is doing ok as don�*t think she is doing ok, but not really at the levels that in itself would say, you are now a big drag on your party and you need to resign. the honest truth is that nicola sturgeon is still the most effective communicator for her party by far. there isn�*t an obvious successor, and whether or not the party will be able to find somebody who was able to prosecute the case for independence as effectively as perhaps nicola sturgeon might have been willing to do so if you were to carry on, that i think it�*s still a very big question. irate carry on, that i think it's still a very big question.— carry on, that i think it's still a very big question. we must leave it there but please _ very big question. we must leave it there but please stay _ very big question. we must leave it there but please stay with - very big question. we must leave it there but please stay with us - there but please stay with us because we will want to talk to you again. professor sirjohn curtice from the university of strathclyde, thank you. let�*s have a reminder of our main news, that nicola sturgeon will stand down as first minister of scotland after eight years. she will

make the announcement herself at 11 o�*clock, just a few moments. my colleague lewis vaughanjones will be with you to take you through that coverage. let�*s take you back to an interview we did earlier with stephen gethins, a former snp politician and mp for north east fife. he gave me his reaction to the news. i�*m surprised. i am also someone who is disappointed. nicola sturgeon is someone who has led with distinction. if you think about the work she put in through the years of covid, she didn�*t put a foot wrong during the disastrous brexit process, i worked very closely with her in terms of the snp reaction, the broader reaction, to the uk decision to leave the european union. she was one of the few leaders who had a very clear idea of what we needed to do during that process. similarly through covid. and let�*s not forget, i know you get

newspaper headlines are sometimes about poll ratings but she continually poles better than any other political leader in the uk and the snp continues to have a significant lead over any other political party. if something is worth that little bit of perspective.— worth that little bit of --ersective. , . ., , worth that little bit of --ersective. , ., . , ., perspective. given all that, why do ou think perspective. given all that, why do you think she _ perspective. given all that, why do you think she might _ perspective. given all that, why do you think she might have - perspective. given all that, why do you think she might have taken - perspective. given all that, why do | you think she might have taken this decision? , ., ., �* ., decision? something you don't hear news programme — decision? something you don't hear news programme is _ decision? something you don't hear news programme is often, - decision? something you don't hear news programme is often, but - decision? something you don't hear news programme is often, but i - decision? something you don't hear. news programme is often, but i don't news programme is often, but i don�*t know! we will find out at 11 o�*clock when the first minister gives her press conference. there could be a range of reasons. i have worked in politics and it is hard. i know that people have been critical of politicians but it is a hard job. it is a stressfuljob and it can take up is a stressfuljob and it can take up a lot of time and as somebody who has stepped outside politics, there is a big world out there as well. but i think this is something that snp members and more broadly, nicola sturgeon is still very popular among scottish public opinion, as shown by

opinion polls and in elections, this is something that will be disappointing to a lot of people north of the border and elsewhere in the uk and europe as well who have admired the first minister�*s work over the last few years. it admired the first minister's work over the last few years. it almost sounds like _ over the last few years. it almost sounds like you _ over the last few years. it almost sounds like you are _ over the last few years. it almost sounds like you are wondering i over the last few years. it almost sounds like you are wondering if| sounds like you are wondering if there is an echo of jacinda ardern in new zealand who stepped down recently because she had no more left in the tank. but i wonder, nicola sturgeon has recently become embroiled in this row over transgender policies, making it easierfor transgender policies, making it easier for people to change their legal gender. do you think that might have anything to do with the decision? idot might have anything to do with the decision? ., . , might have anything to do with the decision? ., ., , , ., , ., decision? not really. this was one iece of decision? not really. this was one piece of legislation _ decision? not really. this was one piece of legislation amongst i decision? not really. this was one | piece of legislation amongst many. it was also something that had passed with labour, liberal democrat, green party and some conservative votes in the scottish parliament, passing overwhelmingly through the scottish parliament. so i don�*t think on that. people are in the snp because they want to deliver independence. the first minister is

still very popular. independence. the first minister is still very popular-— still very popular. hello and welcome — still very popular. hello and welcome to _ still very popular. hello and welcome to bbc— still very popular. hello and welcome to bbc news. i i still very popular. hello and | welcome to bbc news. i will still very popular. hello and i welcome to bbc news. i will be taking overfrom rebecca as welcome to bbc news. i will be taking over from rebecca as we have this continued coverage of the breaking news. nicola sturgeon�*s imminent resignation announcement. we will be live in edinburgh shortly. this is bute house and this is where we are expecting any minute now nicola sturgeon to come out and make that resignation statement. a surprise to an awful lot of people stopped a couple of hours ago we started hearing whispers that a significant announcement would be made. a short time ago the details came through that it would be a resignation statement. extraordinarily significant moment in scottish politics and indeed uk politics. to mull it over as we wait for nicola sturgeon to appear through the door, james shaw is with me. good to see you. for viewers

joining us at the top of the hour, at 11, what�*s happened and what do we know so far? it at11, what's happened and what do we know so far?— we know so far? it came as a bolt from the blue. _ we know so far? it came as a bolt from the blue. no _ we know so far? it came as a bolt from the blue. no one _ we know so far? it came as a bolt from the blue. no one was i we know so far? it came as a bolt i from the blue. no one was expecting this. as i was arriving at the newsroom i saw a tweet from a colleague, phil sim, a reporter in the newsroom in edinburgh, breaking the newsroom in edinburgh, breaking the newsroom in edinburgh, breaking the news that nicola sturgeon would resign. we heard a little bit earlier today that there would be an unscheduled news conference at st andrew�*s house, the place where the scottish government usually holds its news conferences. we have no idea what it was about. then an hour ago we heard it would be nicola sturgeon formally announcing her resignation. a complete shock to evan, i think it�*s fair to say. we have heard one or two voices from the nationalist side of politics in scotland, from the snp, saying they are surprised and no one was

expecting this. in a way you might imagine that that is the way a political leader would want to handle a situation like this. they would want to be able to organise a thing according to their own timing. there had been some questions about how much nicola sturgeon had an appetite to carry on in thejob over the sturgeon had an appetite to carry on in the job over the past few weeks because of the difficulties that she has faced in a number of different areas. but as i say, it was really a shock that it has happened at this particular time on this particular day. no one was anticipating it and it opens up a huge number of questions of course about why this has happened and what is going to happen next. find has happened and what is going to happen next-— happen next. and she is such a significant _ happen next. and she is such a significant figure. _ happen next. and she is such a significant figure. just - happen next. and she is such a significant figure. just remind i happen next. and she is such a i significant figure. just remind us, talk us through some of her greatest hits, as it were.— hits, as it were. some people have already been _ hits, as it were. some people have already been saying _ hits, as it were. some people have already been saying this _ hits, as it were. some people have already been saying this morning i already been saying this morning that she is the biggest figure in

scottish politics of the devolution era. that is something that political geeks will no doubt want to argue over. whether she is bigger than alex salmond or the man who established the scottish parliament in the first place in 1999, but certainly for the last eight plus years she has been the dominant figure in scotland politics. and that really starts in the immediate aftermath of the independence referendum in 2014. the then leader of the snp, alex salmond, resigned because he had been defeated. people in scotland had decided that they didn�*t want independence by a fairly significant margin. and very soon after that, significant margin. and very soon afterthat, nicola significant margin. and very soon after that, nicola sturgeon took over as leader of the snp and first minister of scotland. so over the course of those eight years, there has been a lot of controversy, there has been a lot of controversy, there has been a lot of controversy, there

has been that continuing fight to achieve independence or to get a second independence referendum, which of course has not come to fruition. there has been the covid pandemic and a lot of people i think in scotland appreciated the fact that nicola sturgeon was a constant presence on tv screens and video images almost every day, explaining what the scottish government was doing, what the latest situation was with the pandemic, and i think it is probably fair to say that a lot of people felt she was a steadying influence as scotland faced with that horrendous catastrophe starting at the beginning of 2020. but then there are other domestic political areas where i think the record is definitely questionable, in terms of the health service, in terms of education, where there was a big push to try and narrow what they call the attainment gap, in other words the difference in performance

between affluent areas and the least affluent areas. they questions about how much has been achieved in education and also the health service. but i guess we are coming to the end, we are pretty close now to the end, we are pretty close now to the end of the nicola sturgeon era in scottish politics. and there is going to be i think a lot of looking back and assessing of what she achieved and what she has not. over the past eight years. just on exactly that, tributes have been coming in, as you would imagine, from her political supporters. stewart mcdonald tweeting, snp mp, "nicola sturgeon is the finest public servant of the devolution age, personal resilience and commitment to scotland is unmatched and she has served our party like no one else. she will be an enormous loss as first minister and snp leader." and i suppose, james, the point here is of course her

political allies will say things like that. that is to be expected. but even political enemies will appreciate, whether they agree with her or not, or have agreed with her over issues of policy and strategy and the like, that it is undeniable that she has been a hugely impactful figure. it that she has been a hugely impactful fiaure. , , , ~ , figure. it is very interesting. as ou figure. it is very interesting. as you would _ figure. it is very interesting. as you would say. _ figure. it is very interesting. as you would say, you _ figure. it is very interesting. as you would say, you would i figure. it is very interesting. as i you would say, you would expect someone like stewart mcdonald from the snp to praise his leader, but it will be interesting to hear the voices from some of the other parties. we had a little bit of that, in fact, parties. we had a little bit of that, infact, earlier on, when there was an leader with the leader of the liberal democrats in scotland, and he did acknowledge the leadership qualities of nicola sturgeon. and i think it is worth bearing in mind that of course she is a big figure in scotland, she is the first minister of scotland, but people in the rest of the uk certainly know who nicola sturgeon is, whether they like her, whether they resent the fact that she has pushed for independence for scotland, people know who she is and

she has been influential. and even if you just look at the issue of transgender rights, where the scottish government is actually try to push ahead of what the uk government has done, that has certainly been influential. it has changed, i think, certainly been influential. it has changed, ithink, the certainly been influential. it has changed, i think, the nature of the debate on transgender rights to some extent. so she has certainly been influential, she is a figure who everyone knows or anyone who is interested in politics knows, and there is that question, given her role, given the scale of what she has done over the years, how will the scottish national party replace her? and that is a huge question for them, but also for scotland. because that person will be the next first minister of this nation.— minister of this nation. yes, we will aet minister of this nation. yes, we will get into _ minister of this nation. yes, we will get into the _ minister of this nation. yes, we will get into the runners - minister of this nation. yes, we will get into the runners and i minister of this nation. yes, we i will get into the runners and riders injust a moment, james. will get into the runners and riders in just a moment, james. just to explain to peoplejust in just a moment, james. just to explain to people just tuning in

right now, we are seeing you on screen, james, but also bute house in edinburgh, where we are expecting nicola sturgeon herself to emerge from one of those stores and speak and is expected to announce her resignation. in terms of details or timings, things like that, wejust simply do not know at this stage. it is not expected to be far away. we have seen over the past few minutes, as he will have seen if you have been watching, people coming in through that door. the person we are all keeping our eyes out for is nicola sturgeon herself. james, just whilst we wait, and we could pursue and perhaps that an arrival is imminent, i will and perhaps that an arrival is imminent, iwilljump and perhaps that an arrival is imminent, i willjump across you as soon as we do see her. but there is that old cliche in politics that all political careers end in failure. traditionally one of the ways to try

and salvage that is going on your own terms, but the problem if you are in snp, a nationalist. she has fought in that party since she was 16 years old for an independent scotland, and it seems like she is now leaving the role as leader without that being achieved, james?— role as leader without that being achieved, james? yes, i'm trying to imaaine achieved, james? yes, i'm trying to imagine the — achieved, james? yes, i'm trying to imagine the scene _ achieved, james? yes, i'm trying to imagine the scene inside _ achieved, james? yes, i'm trying to imagine the scene inside bute i achieved, james? yes, i'm trying to i imagine the scene inside bute house. james, just to tease you as you start to speak. let�*s be quite now and listen to the words of nicola sturgeon. and listen to the words of nicola sturreon. ,., ., and listen to the words of nicola sturreon. _, ., ., and listen to the words of nicola sturreon. ,., ., ., i. sturgeon. good morning, everyone. thank ou sturgeon. good morning, everyone. thank you for— sturgeon. good morning, everyone. thank you for coming _ sturgeon. good morning, everyone. thank you for coming along. - sturgeon. good morning, everyone. thank you for coming along. i'm i thank you for coming along. i�*m sorry to break into your half term break. the first minister of scotland is in my admittedly biased

opinion, the very bestjob 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 am very proud of what has been achieved in the years i have been in bute house. however, since my very first moments in thejob, 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 too 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 today, i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. i have asked the national secretary of the snp to begin the process of electing a new party leader and i will remain in office until my successor is elected. i know there will be some across the country who feel upset by this decision and by the fact i am taking it now. of course, for balance, there will be others who, how should i put this? cope with the news just fine. such how should i put this? cope with the newsjust fine. such is how should i put this? cope with the news just fine. such is the how should i put this? cope with the newsjust fine. such is the beauty of democracy. to those who do feel shocked, disappointed, perhaps even a bit angry with me, please note that while hard, and be in no doubt this is really hard for me, my decision comes from a place of duty and of love. tough love, perhaps,

but love nevertheless, for my party and above all for the country. let me set out as best i can my reasons. first, i know it will be tempting to see it as such, this decision is not a reaction to short—term pressures. of a reaction to short—term pressures. of course, there are difficult issues confronting the government just now, but when is that ever not the case? i have spent almost three decades in front line politics. a decades in front line politics. a decade and a half on the top, or second top rung of government. when it comes to navigating choppy waters, resolving seemingly intractable issues or soldiering on went walking away would be the simpler option, i have plenty of experience to draw on. so if this wasjust a question experience to draw on. so if this was just a question of my ability or my resilience to get through the latest period of pressure, i wouldn�*t be standing here today. but it is not. this decision comes from

a deeper and longer term assessment. i know it might seem sudden, but i have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity for some weeks stop essentially, i have been trying to answer two questions. is carrying on right for me? and more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, for my party and for the independence because i have devoted my life to? i understand why some will automatically answer yes to that second question. but in truth, i have been having to work harder in recent times to convince myself that the answer to either of them, when examined deeply, is yes. and i have reached the difficult conclusion that it reached the difficult conclusion thatitis reached the difficult conclusion that it is not. the questions are inextricably linked, but let me try to take them in turn. i have been

first ministerfor over to take them in turn. i have been first minister for over eight years and i was deputy first minister for the best part of eight years before that. thesejobs the best part of eight years before that. these jobs are a privilege the best part of eight years before that. thesejobs are a privilege but they are also rightly hard stop and especially in the case of first minister, relentlessly so. to be clear, i am minister, relentlessly so. to be clear, iam not minister, relentlessly so. to be clear, i am not expecting violins here, but i am a human being as well as a politician. when i entered government in 2007, my niece and youngest nephew were babies, just months old. as i step down, they are about to celebrate their 17th birthdays. now that i think about it, that is exactly the age to be horrified at the thought of your anti—having more time for you. my point is this, —— your anti—having more time for you. the country deserves nothing less. in truth,

that can only be done for anyone for so long. for me, it is now in danger of becoming too long. a first minister is never off duty, particularly in this day and age. there is virtually no privacy. even ordinary stuff that most people take for granted like going for a coffee with friends or a walk on your own becomes very difficult. and the nature and form of modern political discourse means that there is a much greater intensity, dare i say it brutality, to life as a politician than in years gone by. all in all, and actually for a long time without being apparent, it takes its toll on you and on those around you. if that is true in the best of times, it has been more so in recent years. leading this country through the covid pandemic is by far the toughest thing i�*ve done. it may well be the toughest thing i ever do. i certainly hope so. now, by no

stretch of the imagination was my job the hardest in the country during that time. the weight of responsibility was immense. and it is only very recently i think that i have started to comprehend, let alone process, the physical and mental impact of it on me. so what i am really saying is this. if the only question was, can i battle on for another few only question was, can i battle on for anotherfew months, only question was, can i battle on for another few months, then the answer is yes, of course i can. but if the question is, can i give this job everything it demands and deserves for another year, let alone for the remainder of this parliamentary term, give it every ounce of energy that it needs in the way that i have strived to do every day for the past eight years, the answer honestly is different. and as thatis answer honestly is different. and as that is my conclusion, hard though it has been for me to reach it, then given the nature and scale of the challenges the country faces, i have a duty to say so now. i feel that

duty first and foremost to our country, to ensure that it has the energy of leadership that it needs, notjust energy of leadership that it needs, not just today but through the years that remain of this parliamentary term. and right now, in a very particular sense, term. and right now, in a very particularsense, ifeel term. and right now, in a very particular sense, i feel that duty to my party, too. we are at a critical moment. the blocking of our referendum is the accepted constitutional route to independence is a democratic... to ensure that the will of the scottish people prevails. my preference of using the next westminster election as a de facto referendum is well known. i have never pretended it is no perfect, no second best option ever is, northat perfect, no second best option ever is, nor that there are no alternatives. that is why i have always been clear that the decision must be taken by the snp collectively, not by me alone. but i know my party well enough to understand that my view as leader

would carry enormous, probably decisive weight when our conference meets next month. and i cannot in good conscious ask the party to choose an option based on my judgment whilst not being convinced that i would be there as leader to see it through. by making my decision clear now, i free the snp to choose the path that things might be the right one without worrying about the perceived implications for my leadership and in the knowledge that a new leader will steer us i believe successfully on our path. there are two further reflections that have weighed in my decision. these i suppose are more about our political culture and the nature and impact of the dominance and longevity that come from success in politics. the first i hope my party will take heart from. one of the difficulties in coming to terms with this decision is that i am confident

that i can and would lead to the snp to further electoral success. we remain by far the most trusted party in scotland. and while, for every person in scotland who loves me there is another who lets say might not be quite so enthusiastic, we are firmly on course to win the next election, while our opponents remain adrift. but the longer any leader is in office, the more opinions about them become fixed and very hard to change. and that matters. individual polls come and go, but i am firmly of the view that there is now majority support for independence in scotland. but that support needs to be solidified, and it needs to grow further if our independent scotland is to have the best possible foundation. to achieve that, we must reach across the divide in scottish politics. myjudgment now is that a

new leader would be better able to do this, someone about whom the mind of almost everyone in the country is not already made up, for better or worst. someone who is not subject to quite the same polarised opinions, fair or unfair, as i am now. the good news, as the country will now get to see more clearly perhaps, is that the snp is full of talented individuals, more than up to that task. my second reflection is related. ifeel more task. my second reflection is related. i feel more and more each day now that the fixed opinions people increasingly have about me, as i say, some fair, others little more than caricature, are being used as barriers to recent debate in our country. statements and decisions that should not be controversial at all quickly become so. issues that are controversial and up almost

irrationally so. too often i see issues presented and, as a result, view do not own their own merits but through the prism of what i think and what people think about me. i have always been of the belief that no one individual should be dominant in any system for too long. while it is easy to hold that view in the abstract, it is much harder to live by it. with this decision, i am trying to do so. indeed, if all parties were to take this opportunity to de—polarise public debate just a opportunity to de—polarise public debatejust a bit, to opportunity to de—polarise public debate just a bit, to focus opportunity to de—polarise public debatejust a bit, to focus more on issues than on personalities and to reset the tone and the tenor of our discourse and this decision, right for me and i believe the party and the country, might also prove to be good for our politics. i certainly live in hope. now, a couple of final points before i take a few questions. while i am stepping down

from leadership, i am not leaving politics. there are many issues i care deeply about and hope to champion in future. one of these is the promise, the national emission so close to my heart, to improve the life chances of care experienced young people and make sure they grow up young people and make sure they grow up nurtured and loved. my commitment to these young people will be lifelong. and obviously there is independence. winning independence is the cause i have dedicated a lifetime too. it is a cause i believe in with every fibre of my being. and it is a cause i am convinced is being one. i intend to be there as it is one, every step of the way. yesterday morning, i attended the funeral of a very, very dearfriend and attended the funeral of a very, very dear friend and long—standing independence activist, a wonderful man by the name of alan angus. it

was actually during that funeral service that i went from being 99% certain about this decision to being 100% certain, although i know allen would not be at all happy to play any part in my departure. so i�*m sorry, alan. but his funeral reminded me that the cause of independence is so much bigger than any one individual. that all of us who believe in it contribute in different ways at different stages of our lives. since i was 16, i have contributed as an activist, a campaigner and a leader, and so now as we look to what i firmly believe is the final stage in scotland pass journey to independence, albeit a hard one, i hope to use all the experience and perspective i have gathered over these years to help get us there. lastly, there will be time in the days to come for me and others to reflect on what has been achieved during my time as first minister. i�*m pretty certain they

will be plenty of commentary on my mistakes as well. i will have more to say before i debate office, but allow me some reflections now. scotland is a changed country since 2014, and in so many ways it is changed for the better. young people from deprived backgrounds have never had a better chance of going to university than now. our investment to double early learning and child care is transforming opportunities for the youngest children. it is also enabling more women to return to work. the baby boks is enshrining our aspiration that every child should have the best start in life. scotland is a fairer today than it was in 2014. we have a more progressive approach to taxation and a new social security system with the scottish child payment at its heart. as the institute for fiscal studies confirmed last week, the first families and children in scotland are now £2000 better off as

a result of our policies. for many in this cost of living crisis, that will be the difference between food on the table and a warm home or not. there are stronger protections for victims of domestic abuse and parliament was done consider access tojustice for victims of parliament was done consider access to justice for victims of rape and sexual injustice. i will be the strongest possible advocate for these reforms from the backbenches. we have also shown what can be done with the full powers of a nation, creating institutions that are part of the transition to becoming independent. new tax on social security agencies, a network of trade hubs across the world and a state owned investment bank ready to help the country reap the industrial benefits of our vast renewable resources. there is so much that i am proud of. but there is always so much more to be done. i look forward to watching with pride as my successor picks up the baton. there will also be time in the days to

come for me to say thank you. to a very, very long list of people, without whom i would not have lasted a single day in thisjob, let without whom i would not have lasted a single day in this job, let alone eight years. i won�*t do so today. i might inadvertently forget someone or perhaps more likely start to cry. but there are a couple of exceptions. firstly, my husband and family. few people understand the price families of politicians pay for the jobs we choose to do. mine have been my rock throughout. and of course, the snp. since i was 16 years old, you have been my extended family. thank you for the honour of being your leader. and it seems to me that eight emphatic election victories in eight years isn�*t a bad record together. finally and above all, the people of this beautiful, talented, diverse, at times

disputatious but always wonderful country. we face the toughest of times together, i did everything i could to guide us through our the guide us through that time. i was sustained through that period by a wave of support from you that i will remember and value for the rest of my life. to the people of scotland, to all of the people of scotland, whether you voted for me or not, please know that being your first minister has been the privilege of my life. nothing, absolutely nothing, i do in the future will ever come anywhere close. thank you from the very bottom of my heart. and with that, i will take a few questions. if you forgive me, i�*m not going to do my usual and go around absolutely everyjournalist around absolutely every journalist in around absolutely everyjournalist in the room. there will be time of

the next few weeks for you to ask me questions, but i will take a few questions, but i will take a few questions for now. and i will start with glenn campbell from the bbc. if you can't... first minister, if you you can�*t... first minister, if you can�*t lead scotland to independence, who, if anyone can, and what is the timetable now for your replacement? on a slightly lighter note, do you now owe douglas ross £100 as a result of a bet? i now owe douglas ross £100 as a result of a bet?— now owe douglas ross £100 as a result of a bet? i think it was 50, so if he has _ result of a bet? i think it was 50, so if he has already _ result of a bet? i think it was 50, so if he has already inflated i result of a bet? i think it was 50, so if he has already inflated it i so if he has already inflated it to be hundred a may have words there. i will let mr ross have the back. my party will keep winning the elections. on the timetable, that is a matterfor the snp national executive committee. i�*m sure they will set up the timetable for the election of a new snp leader over the coming days, and i will leave office when my successor has been elected, and then subject to the will of parliament, elected as the

new first minister. this is a question that no matter how may times you ask it of me over the next few weeks, no matter how many inventive ways you find of asking it, i am not going to say who my preference will be to succeed me. what i do know is that the snp is awash with talented individuals, one of the things that i�*ve often reflected on is that when any political party in any country has very dominant individuals, others through no fault of the dominant individual, i should say, nor the want of trying, others become eclipsed. what i am looking forward to, and i think the country will enjoy over these next few weeks, is seeing that talent and seeing the array of talent. i believe i have let this country closer to independence. i believe we are in the final phase of that journey. independence. i believe we are in the final phase of thatjourney. i think it will be hard because now we

have the dual challenge, the one we have the dual challenge, the one we have always had, of convincing a solid, sustainable majority of the merits of independence, but also a new challenge of finding in the face of westminster anti—democratic position, that democratic route to allowing the will of the scottish people to be expressed. and i believe my successor, whoever he or she may be, will lead scotland to independence, and i will be there cheering him or her on every single step of the way. connor gillis from sky. step of the way. connor gillis from s . ., step of the way. connor gillis from sky. you say you have been wrestling with this decision _ sky. you say you have been wrestling with this decision for— sky. you say you have been wrestling with this decision for a _ sky. you say you have been wrestling with this decision for a number- sky. you say you have been wrestling with this decision for a number of- with this decision for a number of weeks and it�*s not in the reaction to some issues over the last couple of months, but do you believe the issues, and particularly the row around transgender prisoners, was the straw that broke the camels back and, secondly, as it been a failure of your leadership not have

delivered independence, since that was your founding mission delivered independence, since that was yourfounding mission in delivered independence, since that was your founding mission in 2014? delivered independence, since that was yourfounding mission in 2014? i was your founding mission in 2014? i would leave other people to be the judge of my leadership. i am proud of taking this country ever closer to independence and its invidious for me to thatjudgments to that issue wasn�*t the final straw. i have beenin issue wasn�*t the final straw. i have been in politics for a long time and i�*m not going to stand here and insult your intelligence and say that i leave in a word that is divorced from the realities of what is going on around me but is not the case that this decision is because of short—term issues. i have baked more short—term issues over my years in politics than i care to remember and, if it was just that, i wouldn�*t be standing here today. but what i would say is that i alluded to this in my remarks. when i look at some of the issues in scotland right now,

one of the things that i regret, i suppose is not being able to bring a more rational approach to these debates, and i think that goes back to what i said earlier put up these debates are controversial in their own right but layered onto that there have been people. reviews about me, about independence, and suddenly debates that should be rational and that we should be capable of having rationally become something different. i will always be a voice for human rights and dignity. i have been, iam be a voice for human rights and dignity. i have been, i am and always will be a i will fight for women�*s rights and will stand up against threats to women�*s rights every day but i have breath in my body. but i will also stand up for any stigmatised, discriminated

against, marginalised and vulnerable group in society, and i believe, and call me an optimist, not many would, but i am at heart an optimist and i believe these things must in any progressive, liberal, inclusive society find ways of coexisting. whatever role i play in politics in the future, i will always seek to do all i can to turn that into a reality. all i can to turn that into a reali . ., ., alllcantoturnthatintoa reali . ., ., ., ., reality. how have you gone from havin: reality. how have you gone from having plenty — reality. how have you gone from having plenty in _ reality. how have you gone from having plenty in the _ reality. how have you gone from having plenty in the tank - reality. how have you gone from having plenty in the tank three i having plenty in the tank three weeks ago to an empty tank today? what has changed over the last few weeks? the only thing you didn�*t mention is the police inquiry into the party finances.— mention is the police inquiry into the party finances. these things are not the reason _ the party finances. these things are not the reason i'm _ the party finances. these things are not the reason i'm standing - the party finances. these things are not the reason i'm standing today i not the reason i�*m standing today the dip these are not factors nor will my decision to take effect these things and all of these things will take their course. i said something in my remarks that i

appreciate will divide opinion in scotland. i am a human being. appreciate will divide opinion in scotland. iam a human being. and every human being, every day, wrestled with a whole load of conflicting emotions and, over the last number of weeks, probably since the turn of the year, i have been struggling with just that. i get up in the morning and i tell myself, and usually i convince myself that i have what it takes to keep going for the but then i realise that�*s perhaps not as true, and you go through a process of deciding where it is on that decision you are going to fall, and that�*s the decision i have come to today flip i could go on for another few months, six months, perhaps a year but i know that, as time passed, i would have less and less energy to give to the job and i can�*t do the job on anything other than a 100% basis. the country deserve nothing less. that is the judgment i have come to flip if that�*s my feeling that i�*m

going to get in a short space of time where i am today i went to the country to say it now so that new leadership can be in place and, as i sit in relation to my party, i don�*t want to stand at a special conference a month or so from now and ask my party to take my judgment, to opt for a path knowing that i have doubts about my ability to see it through its leader. this is a better thing to do today for me, for my party, and i believe for the country. james cook. first minister, _ the country. james cook. first minister. i _ the country. james cook. first minister, ithink— the country. james cook. first minister, i think it _ the country. james cook. first minister, i think it is - the country. james cook. first minister, i think it is fair i the country. james cook. first minister, i think it is fair to i the country. james cook. first minister, 1 think it is fair to say minister, ! think it is fair to say that— minister, 1 think it is fair to say that the — minister, 1 think it is fair to say that the nhs is in a really serious situation — that the nhs is in a really serious situation. the attainment gap between _ situation. the attainment gap between rich and poor pupils, which you said _ between rich and poor pupils, which you said was one of your core missions— you said was one of your core missions as first minister, remains pretty— missions as first minister, remains pretty wide — missions as first minister, remains pretty wide. despite what you are saying _ pretty wide. despite what you are saying today, polls suggest you have no were _ saying today, polls suggest you have no were near creating a sustained

majority _ no were near creating a sustained majority for independence flip do you have — majority for independence flip do you have regrets about one or any of those _ you have regrets about one or any of those issues? i�*m you have regrets about one or any of those issues?— you have regrets about one or any of those issues? i'm a human being that i don't those issues? i'm a human being that i don't know — those issues? i'm a human being that i don't know if— those issues? i'm a human being that i don't know if you _ those issues? i'm a human being that i don't know if you have _ those issues? i'm a human being that i don't know if you have regrets i i don�*t know if you have regrets about things in your life and of course i have regrets about all sorts of things and, as i reflect on my time as first minister, there will be things i�*m hugely proud of and things i regret and, if i had my time again, i might do differently to the there will be pent—up time for me to do that and i�*m sure there will be plenty of time for you to do that and i�*m sure you will, so i am proud of my time as first minister but i�*m also proud that i know when it�*s time to move on pass on to someone else. the country, because i believe in, my party everything is bigger than any politician, no matter who they are and no matter how dominant they have been for no matter how much time. politicians come and go all the time. the country is what matters and the

future of the country is what matters and i am proud of the part i have played and hope to continue to play in a different capacity in—built in the future of this country but, in terms of leadership, i think it�*s time for someone else. i think it�*s time for someone else. i think it�*s time for someone else. i think the easier thing sometimes to do and thing that traditionally politicians tend to do is to cling on until everybody is pushing for you to go. it�*s harder because there are always reasons not to stop if i stay a bit longer, i can do this, something might happen. it�*s always easier to find the reasons not to make a decision but i think it�*s better to make the decision when you know in your heart it�*s the right one for you and for your country. i will be 53 this year. i entered parliament when i was, what, 29. i have been a government since i was 37. i have literally done this in one capacity or another for all of

my life. i have been nicola sturgeon politician for all of my life. it�*s been a privilege. i have done things, met people, commonplace, had experiences i would never have done for that i have a depth of gratitude to the party that i to the country that i serve, but i can never find the words to express. having reached this stage in my life, apps i want to spend a bit of time nicola sturgeon the person, the human being and contribute differently. does that sound in some way selfish? i hope it doesn�*t, because i have given and will continue to give everything i can in service to the country but i need, for me, and i think it�*s right for the country to do that in a different way in future and that is what i�*m sticking to do and that is what i�*m sticking to do and the more i talk the more convinced i am that this is the right decision for me. lee scott from itv to dip i�*m going to end up doing what said i wouldn�*t do flip we have heard rumblings of divisions

within— we have heard rumblings of divisions within the _ we have heard rumblings of divisions within the party in recent weeks, particularly around certain issues to ultimately, did you lose trust in your leadership from certain key members — your leadership from certain key members of your party? i your leadership from certain key members of your party?- your leadership from certain key members of your party? i think you would have — members of your party? i think you would have to _ members of your party? i think you would have to ask— members of your party? i think you would have to ask individuals. i- would have to ask individuals. i think any objective analysis would suggest that is not true philip i come at the risk of sounding immodest, which i never like to do, evenin immodest, which i never like to do, even in times that would be described by most of you as tough, i enjoy approval ratings after eight years in government that most leaders would give their right arm for. so, yes, of course, the longer any leader is in office, the more people will point things to disagree with you on, because nobody agrees with you on, because nobody agrees with any other person 100%. that concept or whole idea of longevity in politics, the longer you lead, the more you will find issues that

people find it hard to agree with you on, but i believe i could, if it was just about, can you on, but i believe i could, if it wasjust about, can i lead this party, country forward, certainly the party to electoral success, the answer is yes, but it is much deeper than that, which is what i have been trying to have a sense of. ciaran jenkins. ., ., , jenkins. you said, 'udge me on my record and _ jenkins. you said, 'udge me on my rd and you — jenkins. you said, judge me on my record and you said _ jenkins. you said, judge me on my record and you said that _ jenkins. you said, judge me on my record and you said that in - jenkins. you said, judge me on my record and you said that in relation to the _ record and you said that in relation to the education attainment gap between — to the education attainment gap between the best and worst of people step now _ between the best and worst of people step now surely the time to do that the do _ step now surely the time to do that the do you — step now surely the time to do that the do you think you failed those young _ the do you think you failed those young peoples? you made a promise and didn't— young peoples? you made a promise and didn't deliver it. the nhs is in and didn't deliver it. the nhs is in a pretty— and didn't deliver it. the nhs is in a pretty perilous state drugs deaths have been— a pretty perilous state drugs deaths have been catastrophic. when you look back, — have been catastrophic. when you look back, do you wish you could have _ look back, do you wish you could have been— look back, do you wish you could have been more successful in those areas _ have been more successful in those areas in _ have been more successful in those areas in which you have had complete or considerable control? | areas in which you have had complete or considerable control?— or considerable control? i refer back to the _ or considerable control? i refer back to the question _ or considerable control? i refer back to the question one i or considerable control? i refer back to the question one of i or considerable control? i referl back to the question one of your colleagues ask about anyone taking stock of the things they are proud

of, the things they wish they could turn the clock back and do differently, and you use the term, judge moved up one thing i can be certain of is that people willjudge me top there has been no shortage of judgment on me at what i have done or not done in office, and i�*m pretty certain that will continue to today, and i remember, possibly including by you, but certainly by plenty being challenged on this when i became first minister about the attainment gap and access to university flip today we are on track to close that. if you are a young person from a deprived background by background like the one i come from, you have a better chance than ever before going to university to dip at the other end of the education system, let investment and expansion doubling early years childcare and education is transformational. it affects would be seen immediately but the effect it will have as children go through the system are considerable. the nhs everywhere, health services

are depression. this country is the only one in the uk that is not fazed industrial action in our health service because of our approach to working with those in the service together, in partnership to tackle these challenges, and that will continue. so, on a whole range of things, i will have plenty of time to reflect at greater length and i�*m pretty certain all of you will reflect at length, but one thing is for sure, there will be no shortage ofjudgment on me and my time as first minister. i will take a couple more. alyn smith is next.- first minister. i will take a couple more. alyn smith is next. thank you. you s-oke more. alyn smith is next. thank you. you spoke about _ more. alyn smith is next. thank you. you spoke about this _ more. alyn smith is next. thank you. you spoke about this as _ more. alyn smith is next. thank you. you spoke about this as being - you spoke about this as being something you have been thinking about— something you have been thinking about a _ something you have been thinking about a matter of weeks and not in response _ about a matter of weeks and not in response to — about a matter of weeks and not in response to short—term pressures, but at — response to short—term pressures, but at what _ response to short—term pressures, but at what point did you stop to consider— but at what point did you stop to consider its but at what point did you stop to consider it— consider its was very particular moment and — consider its was very particular moment and who _ consider its was very particular moment and who did - consider its was very particular moment and who did you i consider its was very particular moment and who did you have| moment and who did you have conversations with at that time about whether or not this was the

right— about whether or not this was the right decision? i about whether or not this was the right decision?— about whether or not this was the right decision? i have been thinking about it, i right decision? i have been thinking about it. i use _ right decision? i have been thinking about it, i use the _ right decision? i have been thinking about it, i use the term _ right decision? i have been thinking about it, i use the term in - right decision? i have been thinking about it, i use the term in my i about it, i use the term in my remarks with oscillating intensity. that is true. there are some days i haven�*t thought about it at all because there were too much else, and other times it has weighed more heavily. i don�*t know, possibly a couple of weeks ago it started to crystallise a bit more, but inevitably, again, here is the human thing, it always takes you a bit of time between the point where deep down inside of me there was a decision and been able to admit that to yourself before you even start telling other people. so i couldn�*t pinpoint the exact moment, except that the funeral service for alan yesterday, surrounded by snp members morning somebody that had campaigned all his life for independence, it had a clarifying effect that

stepping down as leader doesn�*t mean i stop contributing to the cause of independence. it doesn�*t mean you stop making a contribution to tip everybody has their time and i think i�*m in leadership, one of the hardest but most important things to do is to know that time is up. in terms of who i spoke to, my close family, the small number of friends. one of the things in leadership you really do learn is who your true friends are in life, so if you are one of the small number who, mainly because i wouldn�*t have been able to tell you without crying in the last 24 hours, i didn�*t vote but texted this morning before the news broke, no you are one of those friends. and thank you for all your support. thank you, first minister philip can you confirm — thank you, first minister philip can you confirm if you will be staying on as _ you confirm if you will be staying on as an — you confirm if you will be staying on as an msp and what issues you will be _ on as an msp and what issues you will be campaigning on as an msp?

alsor _ will be campaigning on as an msp? also, all— will be campaigning on as an msp? also, all the cooperation agreement with the _ also, all the cooperation agreement with the scottish green party need to be _ with the scottish green party need to be renegotiated, if you as first minister— to be renegotiated, if you as first minister are to be renegotiated, if you as first ministerare no to be renegotiated, if you as first minister are no longer in that role? click option — minister are no longer in that role? click option agreement stands. i'm click option agreement stands. i�*m not going to try to dictate anything at this stage, certainly not now and hopefully not ever, offering unsolicited advice to my successor. i know from my experience that is not always welcome. don�*t report that bid to. i think the cooperation agreement with the greens has been thoroughly good for the government and the country and i would hope to see that continue your first question comes i do intend to remain in parliament. i hope to stay in parliament and i intend to stay in parliament and i intend to stay in parliament until certainly the next election and, like all msps, i will take a decision about beyond that nearer the time of the next election. the other body of people that i want to thank and was

hesitant in doing it today, in case i started to cry, is my constituents, who have supported me through thick and thin, put their trust in me time and again, my constituency party, what was glasgow govan, now glasgow southside, that are been by my side since 95, and i look forward to continuing to serve my constituency to the best of my ability. i have given some indication of the kind of issues i would want to be a voice on. there are some reported reforms to the common justice system can thought about improving access to justice for victims of sexual offences and they will be controversial. perhaps they will be controversial. perhaps they could be one of the first tests of a more polarised political debate, but i will be the strongest advocate for these reforms. young people, care experience young people, care experience young people, i will continue to champion the cause for it is one that got under my skin and into my heart in a way that few other issues did over my time as first minister. beyond

that, we will save i�*m looking forward to new opportunities, new challenges and a new way of living life. perhaps, above all else, that is what i�*m looking forward to, a different way of living life, catching up with people, friends i have not had opportunity to spend time with, but watch this space, there is more to come with that, i�*m going to depart. there is more to come with that, i'm going to depart-— there is more to come with that, i'm going to depart. have you been or do ou ex-ect going to depart. have you been or do you expect to — going to depart. have you been or do you expect to be _ going to depart. have you been or do you expect to be interviewed - going to depart. have you been or do you expect to be interviewed by i going to depart. have you been or do you expect to be interviewed by the i you expect to be interviewed by the police _ you expect to be interviewed by the police or— you expect to be interviewed by the police or look into... i�*m you expect to be interviewed by the police or look into. . ._ police or look into... i'm not going to discuss — police or look into... i'm not going to discuss an _ police or look into... i'm not going to discuss an ongoing _ police or look into... i'm not going to discuss an ongoing police i to discuss an ongoing police investigation. 50 to discuss an ongoing police investigation.— to discuss an ongoing police investiration. ., investigation. so there we have it, nicola sturgeon _ investigation. so there we have it, nicola sturgeon announcing i investigation. so there we have it, nicola sturgeon announcing her. nicola sturgeon announcing her resignation in a speech and speaking to journalists afterwards. taken quite a few questions from journalists, even though she said she wasn�*t going to do that. she described it as the bestjob in the world, a privilege beyond measure

and she said she was very proud of what she had achieved. we learnt a couple of new details and that is that she will stay on in the role until a successor is chosen. that successor will be we don�*t know. she was asked who she would prefer and she said she will not be declaring who she prefers, deferring to the statement that there is plenty of talent within the snp to choose from. she is excited about that. and to see that come forward. why has she decided to resign? she said the first of all was a reaction to short—term physical events. some speculation about that. desperate she said it was not a reaction to the she said she doesn�*t expect any violence but that it is a tough, toughjob and she violence but that it is a tough, tough job and she was being honest with herself and saying it was not one she felt she could fully commit to.

let�*s speak now to james shaw. we knew a couple of hours this was going to happen what stood out for you? i going to happen what stood out for ou? ., going to happen what stood out for ou? ~' , ., ., ., you? i think we understand a whole lot more now _ you? i think we understand a whole lot more now about _ you? i think we understand a whole lot more now about why _ you? i think we understand a whole lot more now about why nicola i lot more now about why nicola sturgeon is resigning and why she�*s doing it now. she did give a very strong sense that she just felt that the pressures of the job were weighing more heavily on her than they had before. she talked about they had before. she talked about the fact that her mind started to change in the new year after christmas to she was oscillating, she said, between thinking she could carry on with the job and that she wanted to give it up, but what was really fascinating was that she talked about the funeral of an snp activist, which happened at the weekend, and she said it was thinking then at that event about her future that really crystallised it for her to strip so it may be from those hints that she gave that she had decided in principle she

wants to leave, but it was actually the way she felt over the weekend that made her decide that she actually had to make the move because, as we know, nobody was expecting this. nobody was expecting until this morning that there was going to be a news conference with nicola sturgeon, let alone that she was going to announce that she was resigning. i think the other really significant thing she talked about was the contribution that she has made in terms of the snp�*s goal of achieving independence and whether she could carry on doing that. she talked about the fact that her policy now, since the uk government has refused permission for an independent, her policy is a de facto referendum, using the next general elections is a chance for people to vote on whether they want independence or not. she is aware there is opposition to that, so she said that, if she stepped aside, that would enable her party to make

a fresh decision. thankjames, please stay there and we will come back to you we are going now to a police press conference with the latest on the investigation into the disappearance of nicola bulley, who disappeared most three weeks ago. is i'm the assistant ls i'm the assistant chief constable is i'm the assistant chief constable with lancashire _ is i'm the assistant chief constable with lancashire constabulary i is i'm the assistant chief constable with lancashire constabulary and l is i'm the assistant chief constable i with lancashire constabulary and i'm joint to my left by detective superintendent becky smith, the senior investigating officer in the investigation to find nicola bulley. i want to thank you for making the effort to come here this morning so we could give you an update on our investigation to find nicola. she and herfamily remain investigation to find nicola. she and her family remain foremost investigation to find nicola. she and herfamily remain foremost in our thoughts and our priorities in the investigation. what becky and i will say today has already been made

public and it's been widely reported, but i am acutely aware that there continues to be extensive media interest, speculation and some criticism of our police investigation. therefore, to try to address some of that, we will take you through in some detail, more than would normally be the case with an investigation, what exactly we have done over the last 19 days and continue to do. nicola went missing on the morning of friday the 27th of january and, since that time, we have done an unprecedented amount of work on the investigation to try and find her. the sole focus of that work is to find nicola, to bring her home to herfamily work is to find nicola, to bring her home to her family and to give them the answers they so desperately need. the investigations involved a

dedicated team of more than a0 detectives. they have been looking through hundreds of hours of cctv, dash cam footage, speaking to numerous witnesses, carrying out digital inquiries and examining literally hundreds of pieces of information submitted by the public. i would like to thank the public for their assistance throughout this investigation. there are also dozens of other officers and staff who have helped in the investigation, searchers and the local community in st michael's, and it has involved a range of specialist, both locally, regionally and nationally, and investigation has not wanted at any stage for experts who are the best in their field available to law enforcement in the uk. i would emphasise that it remains the case there is no evidence to indicate a

criminal aspect or third party involvement in nicola's disappearance. however, the involved in the investigation are the same experienced specialist and many senior officers who are concerned with the investigation of the most serious and complex crimes. that is the importance and focus we have given to the investigation to find nicola. to give some figures to back up nicola. to give some figures to back up what i have described, we have visited more than 300 premises, spoken to almost 300 people had received around but 1500 pieces of information into the inquiry. in terms of the physical searches, both water—based and online, we have viewed specialist resources from both police, a range of other agencies, and i'm grateful to those other agencies who have supported us, and in police assets that has included the law put underwater

search unit, police drones, horses, dogs and a police helicopter. we continue to search extensively the river wye and surrounding area downstream and out into the sea towards the estuary. we have consulted with national experts in their field, consulted with national experts in theirfield, including environ mental and tidal experts. we are carrying out an extensive [and search surrounding the river, including some properties around the area where nicola went missing. slides have been made available for you to see, which show in some details exactly where we have searched, but it's important to say that our activity at every stage been directed by expert, trained police search advisers and they have been following a nationally recognised doctrine around such a strategy, which would be followed by an expert police such adviser in the

uk. the lead police search adviser is here and, at the conclusion of the press conference, if you have any specific questions on a one—to—one basis with that officer, he will be able to assist with those. so it remains the case at the present time that there is no evidence in all the exhaustive inquiries we have made which suggests any crime has been committed or that there is any third—party involvement in nicola's disappearance. it is important for me to stress that the investigation continues. it is ongoing and we are meticulously reviewing all information gathered from members of nicola's family, the public, cctv, dash cam and other digital devices, to namejust a dash cam and other digital devices, to name just a few. we are also continuing to regularly consult with national experts from the national crime agency, the nca, they continue to support us and provide both

tactical and strategic advice for the case. i will now hand over to becky, who will talk through in some more detail the investigation she has been leading from that senior investigating officer role.- investigating officer role. thank ou for investigating officer role. thank you for coming _ investigating officer role. thank you for coming this _ investigating officer role. thank you for coming this morning - investigating officer role. thank you for coming this morning let | investigating officer role. thank . you for coming this morning let me third take _ you for coming this morning let me third take you through the incident that led _ third take you through the incident that led up to nicola being reported missing _ that led up to nicola being reported missing i_ that led up to nicola being reported missing. i will go through the timeline _ missing. i will go through the timeline of events for you, followed by a number of topic areas that i believe — by a number of topic areas that i believe are — by a number of topic areas that i believe are of interest to you. also, — believe are of interest to you. also, going on to a couple of areas that have _ also, going on to a couple of areas that have been in the press that i want _ that have been in the press that i want to— that have been in the press that i want to explain in detail to the first of— want to explain in detail to the first of all, nicola bulley was reported missing on friday the 27th ofjanuary_ reported missing on friday the 27th ofjanuary after dropping her of january after dropping her chitdreh_ ofjanuary after dropping her children at saint michael school in saint— children at saint michael school in saint michaels. as soon as she was reported _ saint michaels. as soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police _ information that was provided to the police by— information that was provided to the police by her partner, paul, and

based _ police by her partner, paul, and based on — police by her partner, paul, and based on a _ police by her partner, paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities we were made aware of, vulnerabilities we were made aware of. nicole _ vulnerabilities we were made aware of, nicola was graded as high risk. that is— of, nicola was graded as high risk. that is normal in a missing person investigation with the information we were _ investigation with the information we were in possession. she was immediately treated as missing and on monday the 30th ofjanuary i was identified _ on monday the 30th ofjanuary i was identified as the senior investigating officer. at that time, we reviewed all the information that had been _ we reviewed all the information that had been covered in the days prior to her— had been covered in the days prior to her being reported and, as any serrior— to her being reported and, as any senior investigating officer does you form — senior investigating officer does you form a number of hypotheses. that is— you form a number of hypotheses. that is scenarios which are possible from _ that is scenarios which are possible from the _ that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand. those hypotheses — from the information to hand. those hypotheses included, one, that she possibly— hypotheses included, one, that she possibly could have gone into the river, _ possibly could have gone into the river, that — possibly could have gone into the river, that there could have been third-party— river, that there could have been third—party involvement and, lastly, that she _ third—party involvement and, lastly, that she could have left the area voluntarily. those hypotheses have remained _ voluntarily. those hypotheses have

remained in place throughout and were _ remained in place throughout and were viewed regularly, as is normal with any— were viewed regularly, as is normal with any officer running a major investigation. at the initial stages, _ investigation. at the initial stages, based on the information i received. — stages, based on the information i received. i— stages, based on the information i received, i made it clear that it was _ received, i made it clear that it was nry— received, i made it clear that it was my working hypothesis at that time, _ was my working hypothesis at that time, faced with all the facts, but the main — time, faced with all the facts, but the main hypothesis i was working on at that— the main hypothesis i was working on at that time _ the main hypothesis i was working on at that time was that nicola had gone _ at that time was that nicola had gone in — at that time was that nicola had gone in the river. this has been misconstrued in the press and said that that _ misconstrued in the press and said that that was what i said. i said that that was what i said. i said that was— that that was what i said. i said that was my main working hypothesis at that— that was my main working hypothesis at that time that remains my main working _ at that time that remains my main working hypothesis. ithink at that time that remains my main working hypothesis. i think it's clear— working hypothesis. i think it's clear to — working hypothesis. i think it's clear to see that the amount of effort, — clear to see that the amount of effort, hours worked, resources we put into _ effort, hours worked, resources we put into this — effort, hours worked, resources we put into this investigation that we have always been open—minded. those three hypotheses and scenarios have been continually reviewed at continue _ been continually reviewed at continue to do so to this day. as mr

dawson— continue to do so to this day. as mr dawson has— continue to do so to this day. as mr dawson has said, at the minute, with the information that we have received _ the information that we have received and reviewed, there is not a single _ received and reviewed, there is not a single piece of information or evidence — a single piece of information or evidence to suggest there is any third—party involvement in this investigation, and that continues, and witt— investigation, and that continues, and will continue to do so until we have _ and will continue to do so until we have reviewed all the information received — in terms of the timeline, nicola buttey— in terms of the timeline, nicola bulley dropped her children off at 840 on _ bulley dropped her children off at 840 on friday the 27th ofjanuary. that was — 840 on friday the 27th ofjanuary. that was normal and she then proceeded after chatting to a couple of people _ proceeded after chatting to a couple of people in the school yard, walked onto the _ of people in the school yard, walked onto the river past over nine bridge that takes— onto the river past over nine bridge that takes you down to these fields. we know— that takes you down to these fields. we know that because of witnesses who have _ we know that because of witnesses who have identified her and also from _ who have identified her and also from her— who have identified her and also from her phone data. we know that nicota _ from her phone data. we know that nicola entered the field and made a couple _ nicola entered the field and made a couple of— nicola entered the field and made a couple of messages on her mobile phone, _ couple of messages on her mobile phone, one — couple of messages on her mobile phone, one to her boss and want to a

friend. _ phone, one to her boss and want to a friend, making arrangements for a play date — friend, making arrangements for a play date for her children. and it 901. _ play date for her children. and it 901, we — play date for her children. and it 901, we know she logged into a work catted _ 901, we know she logged into a work called on _ 901, we know she logged into a work called on teams. again, there's been lots of speculation about this. this was a perfectly normal call for nicota — was a perfectly normal call for nicota to _ was a perfectly normal call for nicola to have. it was work related, she would _ nicola to have. it was work related, she would have never had the microphone or camera on, because it was more _ microphone or camera on, because it was more of— microphone or camera on, because it was more of an informative session. she didn't _ was more of an informative session. she didn't need to sign into it. she did so— she didn't need to sign into it. she did so to _ she didn't need to sign into it. she did so to enable her with her business _ did so to enable her with her business. i know there had been inquiries — business. i know there had been inquiries as— business. i know there had been inquiries as to whether anyone else on the _ inquiries as to whether anyone else on the teams call would have been able to— on the teams call would have been able to hear or provide us with any information — able to hear or provide us with any information. i can assure you from the outset — information. i can assure you from the outset that was investigated thoroughly and that is not the case. we know— thoroughly and that is not the case. we know at— thoroughly and that is not the case. we know at this time that there were a number— we know at this time that there were a number of— we know at this time that there were a number of dog walkers in the area, and we— a number of dog walkers in the area, and we have — a number of dog walkers in the area, and we have been extremely fortunate from the _ and we have been extremely fortunate from the very start of this inquiry to have _ from the very start of this inquiry to have a — from the very start of this inquiry to have a number of key witnesses no nicota _ to have a number of key witnesses no nicota so _ to have a number of key witnesses no nicola. so there is no miscommunication about the identification of who was in that

field _ identification of who was in that field and — identification of who was in that field. and also, we have viewed a substantial — field. and also, we have viewed a substantial amount of tv. again, white _ substantial amount of tv. again, while we — substantial amount of tv. again, while we cannot cover the whole area with cctv. _ while we cannot cover the whole area with cctv, we have been really fortunate — with cctv, we have been really fortunate in that we have had a lot, which _ fortunate in that we have had a lot, which has _ fortunate in that we have had a lot, which has really been able to help us pin— which has really been able to help us pin down both nicola's movements, and also _ us pin down both nicola's movements, and also the _ us pin down both nicola's movements, and also the movements of key witnesses, which was why we were able to— witnesses, which was why we were able to give a timeline of events quite _ able to give a timeline of events quite quickly, but reiterating that we were — quite quickly, but reiterating that we were remaining open minded to all three of— we were remaining open minded to all three of those scenarios. so nicola was tast— three of those scenarios. so nicola was last seen in the field which we have called the upper field at about 9:10am _ have called the upper field at about 9:10am that morning. at the time, everythinq — 9:10am that morning. at the time, everything seemed normal, she was walking _ everything seemed normal, she was walking her— everything seemed normal, she was walking her dog, willow, who was off the lead _ walking her dog, willow, who was off the lead. and again a number of inconsistencies have been raised in relation _ inconsistencies have been raised in relation to— inconsistencies have been raised in relation to willow and her harness. it relation to willow and her harness. it was _ relation to willow and her harness. it was really normal for willow do not have — it was really normal for willow do not have her harness on. they never kept the _ not have her harness on. they never kept the harness on when they were

in that— kept the harness on when they were in that field. the harness would be taken _ in that field. the harness would be taken off— in that field. the harness would be taken off of in that field. the harness would be ta ken off of willow in that field. the harness would be taken off of willow when they entered — taken off of willow when they entered the field and would only be put back— entered the field and would only be put back on when they were ready to leave _ put back on when they were ready to leave the _ put back on when they were ready to leave the field. so at approximately 9:10am, _ leave the field. so at approximately 9:10am, a _ leave the field. so at approximately 9:10am, a witness that knows her had the last— 9:10am, a witness that knows her had the last sighting, and that was at the last sighting, and that was at the upper— the last sighting, and that was at the upper field. when i say an approximate time, it is that, but we are basinq _ approximate time, it is that, but we are basing that on obviously the times— are basing that on obviously the times that we can say that witness left the _ times that we can say that witness left the field. i'm quite confident it is around that time. we then no from _ it is around that time. we then no from digital— it is around that time. we then no from digital data that at sometime around _ from digital data that at sometime around 9:20am, we believe that nicota's— around 9:20am, we believe that nicola's handset had moved towards the bench _ nicola's handset had moved towards the bench area. again, there have been _ the bench area. again, there have been questions raised around her phone, _ been questions raised around her phone, whether that would have been in her— phone, whether that would have been in her possession when whatever happened — in her possession when whatever happened has happened, but again i would _ happened has happened, but again i would just— happened has happened, but again i would just like to point out that it is realty— would just like to point out that it is really normal for nicola, when in a team _ is really normal for nicola, when in a team skull, to be holding her phone — a team skull, to be holding her phone out— a team skull, to be holding her phone out in front of her, listening

to it _ phone out in front of her, listening to it we _ phone out in front of her, listening to it we can — phone out in front of her, listening to it. we can see from a witness that— to it. we can see from a witness that knows — to it. we can see from a witness that knows that that morning that is what she _ that knows that that morning that is what she was doing. so that would explain _ what she was doing. so that would explain why she doesn't have a phone in her— explain why she doesn't have a phone in her pocket, as i know a neighbour of peopte _ in her pocket, as i know a neighbour of people have raised. we then know at about— of people have raised. we then know at about 9:33am, a local dog walker who was— at about 9:33am, a local dog walker who was walking her dog comes across the bench _ who was walking her dog comes across the bench and finds willow untied, runninq _ the bench and finds willow untied, running between the bench and the gate _ running between the bench and the gate the _ running between the bench and the gate. the mobile phone is on the bench, _ gate. the mobile phone is on the bench, face — gate. the mobile phone is on the bench, face upwards, still logged into the _ bench, face upwards, still logged into the team skull, and willow pass harness— into the team skull, and willow pass harness is— into the team skull, and willow pass harness is halfway between the bench and the _ harness is halfway between the bench and the riverside. that witness makes — and the riverside. that witness makes a — and the riverside. that witness makes a returns and makes a number of phone _ makes a returns and makes a number of phone calls because at that point she doesn't know who the dog belongs to or who— she doesn't know who the dog belongs to or who the phone belongs to and doesn't _ to or who the phone belongs to and doesn't know how to get in touch with people. she makes a number of inquiries _ with people. she makes a number of inquiries with a local vet who cannot—

inquiries with a local vet who cannot assist her, and following a number— cannot assist her, and following a number of— cannot assist her, and following a number of inquiries eventually peopte — number of inquiries eventually people returned to the bench to recover — people returned to the bench to recover the handset and willow, and we find _ recover the handset and willow, and we find out — recover the handset and willow, and we find out that obviously they belong — we find out that obviously they belong to nicola. the alarm is then raised _ belong to nicola. the alarm is then raised with— belong to nicola. the alarm is then raised with the local school, who then _ raised with the local school, who then in— raised with the local school, who then in turn contact paul, nicola's partner~ _ then in turn contact paul, nicola's partner. just moving on to cctv. like — partner. just moving on to cctv. like i've _ partner. just moving on to cctv. like i've said, we are really fortunate _ like i've said, we are really fortunate in this inquiry that we have _ fortunate in this inquiry that we have been— fortunate in this inquiry that we have been able to narrow down a lot of the _ have been able to narrow down a lot of the witnesses in the area pass movements and to some extent nicola's. _ movements and to some extent nicola's. but we cannot complete that totally. the area at the top of the field _ that totally. the area at the top of the field has cctv that covers the -ate the field has cctv that covers the date that — the field has cctv that covers the gate that enters the field and the front of— gate that enters the field and the front of the site. that is working, the site _ front of the site. that is working,

the site managers have been cooperating with us and so supportive of this investigation at every— supportive of this investigation at every stage. and we can say that nicota _ every stage. and we can say that nicota has— every stage. and we can say that nicola has not entered that area or left. nicola has not entered that area or left we _ nicola has not entered that area or left. we can also say that nobody we have traced — left. we can also say that nobody we have traced and spoken to and discounted has left or entered the water _ discounted has left or entered the water a _ discounted has left or entered the water. a second point on cctv is a lane _ water. a second point on cctv is a lane aqain, — water. a second point on cctv is a lane. again, we have been really, really— lane. again, we have been really, really fortunate, despite it being such a _ really fortunate, despite it being such a rural area, that we have got numerous — such a rural area, that we have got numerous sites of cctv on that road, and that— numerous sites of cctv on that road, and that is— numerous sites of cctv on that road, and that is why we can be confident that nicota — and that is why we can be confident that nicola has not gone down that road _ that nicola has not gone down that road. unfortunately, the main entrance — road. unfortunately, the main entrance and exit to the fields is via the _ entrance and exit to the fields is via the river path, as we refer to it. via the river path, as we refer to it and _ via the river path, as we refer to it and that _ via the river path, as we refer to it. and that river path goes back to garston _ it. and that river path goes back to garston road. it can fork off stiqhtty, _ garston road. it can fork off slightly, which takes you to the back— slightly, which takes you to the back of— slightly, which takes you to the back of the grapes pub, which brings you back— back of the grapes pub, which brings you back onto the main road. but again. _ you back onto the main road. but again. that — you back onto the main road. but

again, that is covered by cctv and we know— again, that is covered by cctv and we know that she hasn't left by that entrance~ _ we know that she hasn't left by that entrance. talking about the river path. _ entrance. talking about the river path. this— entrance. talking about the river path, this has always been, and we have _ path, this has always been, and we have made — path, this has always been, and we have made this really clear in previous— have made this really clear in previous briefings, that this has been _ previous briefings, that this has been our— previous briefings, that this has been our focus. and to do this, because — been our focus. and to do this, because of— been our focus. and to do this, because of the lack of cctv on the main _ because of the lack of cctv on the main road. — because of the lack of cctv on the main road, we have had to appeal numerous — main road, we have had to appeal numerous times for motorists and cyclists _ numerous times for motorists and cyclists in — numerous times for motorists and cyclists in the area to send us through— cyclists in the area to send us through any potential clips of dashcam, and our intention is to review— dashcam, and our intention is to review every one of those, however small _ review every one of those, however small they — review every one of those, however small they might be, to make sure that none — small they might be, to make sure that none of those nicola is a scene — that none of those nicola is a scene at _ that none of those nicola is a scene. at this stage, none of that dashcam — scene. at this stage, none of that dashcam has indicated that nicola is there. _ dashcam has indicated that nicola is there, however i would just like to point _ there, however i would just like to point out — there, however i would just like to point out we are still reviewing those — point out we are still reviewing those pieces of information. but i can say, — those pieces of information. but i can say, which we have established only yesterday, was that if nicola had left _ only yesterday, was that if nicola had left out of the river path and turned _ had left out of the river path and turned right, she has not reached the grape — turned right, she has not reached the grape pub. and we can say that

because _ the grape pub. and we can say that because we — the grape pub. and we can say that because we have cctv covering both sides _ because we have cctv covering both sides of— because we have cctv covering both sides of that pavement. moving on to nicota's_ sides of that pavement. moving on to nicola's phone, i have talked to you about— nicola's phone, i have talked to you about the _ nicola's phone, i have talked to you about the discrepancies that have been _ about the discrepancies that have been flagged up with team skull, whether— been flagged up with team skull, whether she would have that in front of her. _ whether she would have that in front of her, whether she would have it in your pocket — of her, whether she would have it in your pocket. —— teams call. had the phone _ your pocket. —— teams call. had the phone out— your pocket. —— teams call. had the phone out in— your pocket. —— teams call. had the phone out in front of her listening to that _ phone out in front of her listening to that call. we have of course, like you — to that call. we have of course, like you would in any major inquiry, done _ like you would in any major inquiry, done an— like you would in any major inquiry, done an exhaustive amount of work without— done an exhaustive amount of work without phone. we have digital media experts _ without phone. we have digital media experts doing everything we can with that. experts doing everything we can with that and _ experts doing everything we can with that. and that has enabled us to help us— that. and that has enabled us to help us with her movements in the field _ help us with her movements in the field. corroborated by witness accounts _ field. corroborated by witness accounts. moving on to the fitbit, as i accounts. moving on to the fitbit, as i know— accounts. moving on to the fitbit, as i know this has been of interest. unfortunately, despite many technicians and specialists looking at this, _ technicians and specialists looking at this, there is no further information that we can gauge from that, because it hadn't been synced

for a number that, because it hadn't been synced fora number of that, because it hadn't been synced for a number of days. just in relation _ for a number of days. just in relation to— for a number of days. just in relation to digital inquiries, there is further— relation to digital inquiries, there is further work that we are doing on nicola's social media accounts this morninq~ — nicola's social media accounts this morning. the family are totally aware — morning. the family are totally aware of— morning. the family are totally aware of this. but this work that we are doing _ aware of this. but this work that we are doing might show nicola as being ontine~ _ are doing might show nicola as being ontine~ we _ are doing might show nicola as being online. we want to make this really clear _ online. we want to make this really clear we _ online. we want to make this really clear. we have control of this phone — clear. we have control of this phone. this will be the police that is doing _ phone. this will be the police that is doing these inquiries and nobody needs— is doing these inquiries and nobody needs to _ is doing these inquiries and nobody needs to be concerned or to contact the incident — needs to be concerned or to contact the incident room in relation to this _ the incident room in relation to this. moving back to my original explanation of the scenarios that were _ explanation of the scenarios that were under consideration, i have expressed — were under consideration, i have expressed the hypothesis have been continually reviewed based on the information owing to the inquiry team, _ information owing to the inquiry team, and — information owing to the inquiry team, and the inquiry team only. whitst _ team, and the inquiry team only. whilst other people may speculate and spread rumours, there is no

evidence — and spread rumours, there is no evidence whatsoever or information, and there _ evidence whatsoever or information, and there has been a vast amount reviewed, — and there has been a vast amount reviewed, we can assure you, in the last almost— reviewed, we can assure you, in the last almost three weeks, to suggest any third _ last almost three weeks, to suggest any third party involvement or nicota — any third party involvement or nicola leaving that field. however, this is— nicola leaving that field. however, this is an _ nicola leaving that field. however, this is an ongoing inquiry. we have -ot this is an ongoing inquiry. we have got a _ this is an ongoing inquiry. we have got a large — this is an ongoing inquiry. we have got a large dedicated team. and as you can _ got a large dedicated team. and as you can imagine, a vast amount of information — you can imagine, a vast amount of information. some relevant and some not. information. some relevant and some not cominq _ information. some relevant and some not. coming in on a daily basis. so whitst _ not. coming in on a daily basis. so whitst my— not. coming in on a daily basis. so whilst my main working line of inquiry— whilst my main working line of inquiry at _ whilst my main working line of inquiry at the moment is that nicola, — inquiry at the moment is that nicola, based on the information known _ nicola, based on the information known to— nicola, based on the information known to me, from the incident and nicota _ known to me, from the incident and nicola herself, and the information that has— nicola herself, and the information that has been given to us by her family. — that has been given to us by her family, that is my main working hypothesis at this time. that does not mean — hypothesis at this time. that does not mean that we aren't continuing to investigate every single line of inquiry, _ to investigate every single line of inquiry, because i can assure you we are. inquiry, because i can assure you we are and _ inquiry, because i can assure you we are and we. — inquiry, because i can assure you we are. and we, as much as everyone else _ are. and we, as much as everyone else in— are. and we, as much as everyone else in this — are. and we, as much as everyone else in this country, wants to find

out what — else in this country, wants to find out what has happened to nicola, to be able _ out what has happened to nicola, to be able to— out what has happened to nicola, to be able to give her two children the answers— be able to give her two children the answers they deserve. so in terms of persistent— answers they deserve. so in terms of persistent myths that keep being referred — persistent myths that keep being referred to in the press, the deretict _ referred to in the press, the derelict house which is across the other— derelict house which is across the other side — derelict house which is across the other side of the river. that has been _ other side of the river. that has been searched three times with the permission — been searched three times with the permission of the owner and nicola is not _ permission of the owner and nicola is not in _ permission of the owner and nicola is not in there. the red van. we are really. _ is not in there. the red van. we are really. really — is not in there. the red van. we are really, really grateful to members of the _ really, really grateful to members of the public for bringing into the inquiry _ of the public for bringing into the inquiry. we wouldn't have got this far without — inquiry. we wouldn't have got this far without everybody's help. but i think— far without everybody's help. but i think it _ far without everybody's help. but i think it is — far without everybody's help. but i think it is also really obvious that we are _ think it is also really obvious that we are being inundated with false information, accusations and rumours which _ information, accusations and rumours which is _ information, accusations and rumours which is distracting us from our work _ which is distracting us from our work the — which is distracting us from our work. the red van has been reported that it _ work. the red van has been reported that it was _ work. the red van has been reported that it was in — work. the red van has been reported that it was in the area on the morning _ that it was in the area on the morning of the 27th. like many other hundreds— morning of the 27th. like many other hundreds of— morning of the 27th. like many other hundreds of cars that morning. we are realty— hundreds of cars that morning. we are really grateful for the witness who has — are really grateful for the witness who has told us about that and we

are continuing to make inquiries to try to _ are continuing to make inquiries to try to track— are continuing to make inquiries to try to track down that specific van. but from _ try to track down that specific van. but from my perspective, being in possession — but from my perspective, being in possession of all the facts and information of this case, i do not believe _ information of this case, i do not believe that to be suspicious. but we are _ believe that to be suspicious. but we are continuing to investigate that so— we are continuing to investigate that so we can identify whoever was in the _ that so we can identify whoever was in the area — that so we can identify whoever was in the area at that time to make sure _ in the area at that time to make sure they— in the area at that time to make sure they can't give us any further information— sure they can't give us any further information that will insist the investigation. there has also been mention— investigation. there has also been mention of— investigation. there has also been mention of a number of fishermen that have — mention of a number of fishermen that have been seen that morning, who aqain — that have been seen that morning, who again were described as suspicious. i myself don't find it suspicious— suspicious. i myself don't find it suspicious that fishermen would be in the _ suspicious that fishermen would be in the area — suspicious that fishermen would be in the area of a river that morning or carrying — in the area of a river that morning or carrying fishing rods, but there was some — or carrying fishing rods, but there was some suspicion that one of these mates _ was some suspicion that one of these males might have been looking to cover— males might have been looking to cover his — males might have been looking to cover his face. we have made numerous _ cover his face. we have made numerous appeals for these fishermen to come _ numerous appeals for these fishermen to come forward. we have made contact — to come forward. we have made contact with the local angling ctubs~ — contact with the local angling clubs. and we have also ascertained the time _ clubs. and we have also ascertained the time of— clubs. and we have also ascertained the time of the witness passing down that road _ the time of the witness passing down that road i_ the time of the witness passing down that road. i have checked the cctv at the _ that road. i have checked the cctv at the grapes pub, which covers that

end of— at the grapes pub, which covers that end of garstang road, and we cannot see any— end of garstang road, and we cannot see any of— end of garstang road, and we cannot see any of those fishermen at that time of— see any of those fishermen at that time of day. but we are continuing to try— time of day. but we are continuing to try to— time of day. but we are continuing to try to trace these people. again, i to try to trace these people. again, iwoutd _ to try to trace these people. again, i would urge that they are not necessarily suspicious to me. but i am realty— necessarily suspicious to me. but i am really keen to trace them to make sure there _ am really keen to trace them to make sure there is — am really keen to trace them to make sure there is no further information that they— sure there is no further information that they can give us that would assist — that they can give us that would assist in — that they can give us that would assist. in terms of the glove that has been — assist. in terms of the glove that has been recovered. you will no doubt _ has been recovered. you will no doubt be — has been recovered. you will no doubt be aware that tiktok have been playing _ doubt be aware that tiktok have been playing their own private detectives and have _ playing their own private detectives and have been in the area. a glove has been _ and have been in the area. a glove has been recovered. that is not believed — has been recovered. that is not believed to be relevant to the investigation. it is not nicola's. but we — investigation. it is not nicola's. but we have got that in our possession. lastly, there has been some _ possession. lastly, there has been some mention of cctv specifically at the caravan — some mention of cctv specifically at the caravan site. that hasn't been working _ the caravan site. that hasn't been working and that that is suspicious itsetf _ working and that that is suspicious itself that — working and that that is suspicious itself. that is not the case. we have _ itself. that is not the case. we have been— itself. that is not the case. we have been helped and assisted beyond all belief— have been helped and assisted beyond all belief by the caravan owners in this _ all belief by the caravan owners in this the — all belief by the caravan owners in this. the whole community wants to find nicota _ this. the whole community wants to find nicola and wants to get the

family— find nicola and wants to get the family the answers they deserve. lastly, _ family the answers they deserve. lastly, the — family the answers they deserve. lastly, the family, and they are the most _ lastly, the family, and they are the most important part of this. and all this speculation and rumour is affecting — this speculation and rumour is affecting them. they have got a loving _ affecting them. they have got a loving daughter, sister, partnerand mother— loving daughter, sister, partnerand motherwho— loving daughter, sister, partnerand mother who is missing, and that is my priority— mother who is missing, and that is my priority and the priority of the investigation team, and always has. and we _ investigation team, and always has. and we cannot be detracted from that _ and we cannot be detracted from that i_ and we cannot be detracted from that. i have met the family on a number— that. i have met the family on a number of— that. i have met the family on a number of occasions and will continue _ number of occasions and will continue to do so, and they are kept regularly— continue to do so, and they are kept regularly updated throughout with our progress. there are dedicated family— our progress. there are dedicated family liaison officers who speak daily— family liaison officers who speak daily to — family liaison officers who speak daily to the family, and only yesterday spent a significant amount of time _ yesterday spent a significant amount of time with paul. i can assure you that this _ of time with paul. i can assure you that this investigation has been thoroughly investigated, no differently than any other major investigation, from the outset, and that my— investigation, from the outset, and that my absolute priority is to do everything we can to provide the

answers— everything we can to provide the answers to nicola's two daughters, who need _ answers to nicola's two daughters, who need to know whether money is. and whilst— who need to know whether money is. and whilst we have shared information today about specific individual vulnerabilities, information today about specific individualvulnerabilities, specific to this _ individualvulnerabilities, specific to this case and nicola, i would ask you to _ to this case and nicola, i would ask you to respect the family's privacy. -- where _ you to respect the family's privacy. —— where there mum is. you to respect the family's privacy. -- where there mum is.— you to respect the family's privacy. -- where there mum is. thank you. as we mentioned. — -- where there mum is. thank you. as we mentioned, we _ -- where there mum is. thank you. as we mentioned, we have _ -- where there mum is. thank you. as we mentioned, we have shared - -- where there mum is. thank you. as we mentioned, we have shared more | we mentioned, we have shared more detail in this conference than would normally be the case. by doing so, both in terms of the scale of the investigation, the resources and intensity of it, and something around nicola's vulnerabilities, we are able to counter some of the ill informed speculation and conjecture that has at times distracted the investigation promote to have been its priorities. it has been a distraction. that is potentially damaging to the investigation, the

community of st michael's, and most importantly nicola's family. we have had incredible support from the public and continue to have a dedicated investigation team working on this inquiry, and we will continue to be as transparent as we possibly can be. you must appreciate though, when we do come forward, what we bring forward must be factual. anyone with relevant information can submit it through the major incident public portal, the major incident public portal, the link to which is available on the link to which is available on the lancashire police website. so thank you, and both becky and i are happy to take some questions. can you just give us a bit more information about the own abilities? and why was it that you had to then

identify her as high risk? and also, this is the 20th day that nicola bulley has been missing. how confident are you and your team that you will find her alive?— you will find her alive? firstly, to the cover the _ you will find her alive? firstly, to the cover the information - you will find her alive? firstly, to the cover the information about | the cover the information about paul _ the cover the information about paul it — the cover the information about paul it is — the cover the information about paul. it is normal with any missing person— paul. it is normal with any missing person investigation that you want us to— person investigation that you want us to gather as much information at an early— us to gather as much information at an early stage about the person in question. — an early stage about the person in question, which is no different and we did _ question, which is no different and we did that — question, which is no different and we did that with paul. i am not going — we did that with paul. i am not going to — we did that with paul. i am not going to go into the detail of those individual— going to go into the detail of those individual vulnerabilities. going to go into the detail of those individualvulnerabilities. i have individual vulnerabilities. i have asked _ individual vulnerabilities. i have asked you — individualvulnerabilities. i have asked you to respect the family, who are going _ asked you to respect the family, who are going through unimaginable pain and distress at this moment. but there's— and distress at this moment. but there's vulnerabilities based our decision— there's vulnerabilities based our decision making in terms of grading nicola _ decision making in terms of grading nicola as _ decision making in terms of grading nicola as high risk, and have continued _ nicola as high risk, and have continued to form part of my investigation throughout. in terms of, investigation throughout. in terms of. sorry. — investigation throughout. in terms of, sorry, what was the second part to your— of, sorry, what was the second part to your question? how of, sorry, what was the second part to your question?— of, sorry, what was the second part to your question? how confident are ou and to your question? how confident are you and your — to your question? how confident are you and your team _ to your question? how confident are you and your team that _ to your question? how confident are you and your team that you - to your question? how confident are

you and your team that you will- to your question? how confident are you and your team that you will find | you and your team that you will find nicola bulley alive? i you and your team that you will find nicola bulley alive?— nicola bulley alive? i hope with all m heart nicola bulley alive? i hope with all my heart that _ nicola bulley alive? i hope with all my heart that we _ nicola bulley alive? i hope with all my heart that we find _ nicola bulley alive? i hope with all my heart that we find nicola - nicola bulley alive? i hope with all| my heart that we find nicola bulley alive. _ my heart that we find nicola bulley alive, more than anything. i have told you — alive, more than anything. i have told you that my working hypothesis is at the _ told you that my working hypothesis is at the moment, through all of the information— is at the moment, through all of the information that we have gathered, that the _ information that we have gathered, that the likelihood is that nicola has unfortunately gone in the river. however. _ has unfortunately gone in the river. however. i— has unfortunately gone in the river. however, i have to stress this because — however, i have to stress this because this has been continually misconstrued, i cannot be 100 because this has been continually misconstrued, i cannot be100 or 100% _ misconstrued, i cannot be100 or 100% certain at the minute. it is alive _ 100% certain at the minute. it is alive investigation and there always investigation coming in. but we are investigation coming in. but we are in the _ investigation coming in. but we are in the 20th— investigation coming in. but we are in the 20th day, we have had a thorough. _ in the 20th day, we have had a thorough, dedicated, meticulous investigation. there is not one single — investigation. there is not one single piece of information that has come _ single piece of information that has come to— single piece of information that has come to note that would suggest that nicola _ come to note that would suggest that nicola has— come to note that would suggest that nicola has left those fields. two questions _ nicola has left those fields. two questions. first _ nicola has left those fields. two questions. first of— nicola has left those fields. two questions. first of all, - nicola has left those fields. ti-orfr questions. first of all, a headset at the time? no, she wasn't. right

you say is covered. to the left is a blind spot, and how far down? there is no cctv there? i blind spot, and how far down? there is no cctv there?— is no cctv there? i can't give you the specifics _ is no cctv there? i can't give you the specifics of _ is no cctv there? i can't give you the specifics of how _ is no cctv there? i can't give you the specifics of how many - is no cctv there? i can't give you the specifics of how many sites. | the specifics of how many sites. but we are _ the specifics of how many sites. but we are basically scoping off, as you turn left. _ we are basically scoping off, as you turn left, we are trolling all that area _ turn left, we are trolling all that area for— turn left, we are trolling all that area for any cctv that we have got, but the _ area for any cctv that we have got, but the main — area for any cctv that we have got, but the main road isn't covered unfortunately. so, from the ironbridge, to the school, if you will. _ ironbridge, to the school, if you will. there — ironbridge, to the school, if you will, there is nothing there, which is why— will, there is nothing there, which is why it _ will, there is nothing there, which is why it is — will, there is nothing there, which is why it is so important the dashcam~ _ is why it is so important the dashcam. because even though they are going _ dashcam. because even though they are going to be tiny bite sizes of information, they are not going to be as— information, they are not going to be as good — information, they are not going to be as good as being able to view cctv~ _ be as good as being able to view cctv~ we — be as good as being able to view cctv. we need to piece together as much _ cctv. we need to piece together as much of— cctv. we need to piece together as much of that portion of the road as we can _ much of that portion of the road as we can i_ much of that portion of the road as we can. i cannot give you exact figures _ we can. i cannot give you exact figures on — we can. i cannot give you exact figures on that, because obviously they will— figures on that, because obviously they will have been more today. but a substantial amount.

they will have been more today. but a substantialamount. no, they will have been more today. but a substantial amount. no, they have all had _ a substantial amount. no, they have all had individual letters to the cars we — all had individual letters to the cars we know have gone past in the area _ cars we know have gone past in the area and _ cars we know have gone past in the area. and we have asked for a positive — area. and we have asked for a positive responses only. at any dashcam — positive responses only. at any dashcam that has come back in, which there _ dashcam that has come back in, which there has— dashcam that has come back in, which there has been an amount of, we have reviewed _ there has been an amount of, we have reviewed. some of it doesn't show anythinq. — reviewed. some of it doesn't show anything, some of it is still being reviewed — anything, some of it is still being reviewed. at the minute, there is absolutely— reviewed. at the minute, there is absolutely no sightings of nicola. 0n absolutely no sightings of nicola. on monday. nicola bulley went missing on friday. sio not appointed until monday. i missing on friday. 510 not appointed until monday-— until monday. i can probably take this. i am satisfied _ until monday. i can probably take this. i am satisfied that, - until monday. i can probably take this. i am satisfied that, as - until monday. i can probably take| this. i am satisfied that, as becky has described, following the initial report of nicola as being missing, immediately she was rated as high risk. that in itself is a significant level of risk that does bring with it focused attention and significant resources. i am

satisfied that, given there was no evidence of any crime having occurred at that first point, yes, it was handled appropriately. as the days began to progress, as would be normal with any high risk missing person investigation, who hadn't been found, layer and the expertise of a senior investigating officer with all of the infrastructure that comes with that. it with all of the infrastructure that comes with that.— with all of the infrastructure that comes with that. it took three days to determine _ comes with that. it took three days to determine that _ comes with that. it took three days to determine that nikki _ comes with that. it took three days to determine that nikki wasn't - comes with that. it took three days to determine that nikki wasn't in i to determine that nikki wasn't in that stretch of river. how long will you continue searching for her? again, it is properly something i can take. the search effort, both water—based and land—based, continues. this week, there are police assets, including underwater search officers, continuing with an exercise this week. what is an inherently challenging medium to

search and the river wyre is tidal and flows out into... part of the river had been searched repeatedly because of the shifting water patterns and tidal nature of it. we have taken the best expertise from people who are expert in the field around coastal movements, water movements within those waterways. i retain all hope that the reality is that there is a point when i have to renew within conjunction of becky and the search managers, the extensive proportionality of continuing to employ significant research resources around the river wyre and land—based options we have there. forthis wyre and land—based options we have there. for this week, the search effort is continuing. there will be a point in the days ahead but i do review that. a point in the days ahead but i do review that-— review that. social media video makers, review that. social media video makers. have _ review that. social media video makers, have they _ review that. social media video makers, have they been - review that. social media video makers, have they been an - review that. social media video - makers, have they been an annoyance or a hindrance to your inquiry? fries.

or a hindrance to your inquiry? yes, it has significantly _ or a hindrance to your inquiry? yes, it has significantly distracted the investigation. in 29 years police service. — investigation. in 29 years police service. i— investigation. in 29 years police service, i have never seen anything like it _ service, i have never seen anything like it some— service, i have never seen anything like it. some of it has been quite shockinq — like it. some of it has been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family _ shocking and really hurtful to the family. obviously, we cannot disregard anything and we have reviewed — disregard anything and we have reviewed everything that has come in, reviewed everything that has come in. but _ reviewed everything that has come in. but of— reviewed everything that has come in, but of course it has distracted significantly. but as long as we are prioritisinq. — significantly. but as long as we are prioritising, which we do constantly, on the information that is coming _ constantly, on the information that is coming in, that will not distract us from _ is coming in, that will not distract us from the — is coming in, that will not distract us from the priority actions that we have been— us from the priority actions that we have been completing. i�*m us from the priority actions that we have been completing.— have been completing. i'm 'ust worrying. �* have been completing. i'm 'ust worrying. you i have been completing. i'm 'ust worrying, you talki have been completing. i'm 'ust worrying, you talk about h have been completing. i'mjust worrying, you talk about the i worrying, you talk about the evidence you are working with, should you have cordoned off the bench and cordoned off so you can rule out things like fowl play and be absolutely certain, rather than just saying... i be absolutely certain, rather than just saying- - -_ be absolutely certain, rather than just saying... i understand why you would ask that. _ just saying... i understand why you would ask that. at _ just saying... i understand why you would ask that. at the _ just saying... i understand why you would ask that. at the end - just saying... i understand why you would ask that. at the end of - would ask that. at the end of the day. _ would ask that. at the end of the day it— would ask that. at the end of the day it was— would ask that. at the end of the day, it was treated immediately and the officer— day, it was treated immediately and the officer that dealt with it in

those — the officer that dealt with it in those days had searched immediately, which included the area around the bench _ which included the area around the bench. . which included the area around the bench. , , . ., bench. running between the bench and the ate, bench. running between the bench and the gate. not — bench. running between the bench and the gate. rrot the _ bench. running between the bench and the gate, not the bench _ bench. running between the bench and the gate, not the bench and _ bench. running between the bench and the gate, not the bench and the - the gate, not the bench and the water's end? what do you make of that? ~ ., . ., , water's end? what do you make of that? ~ ., _, , , .,, �* that? we have consulted people. but obviousl , that? we have consulted people. but obviously. i— that? we have consulted people. but obviously, i cannot _ that? we have consulted people. but obviously, i cannot speak _ that? we have consulted people. but obviously, i cannot speak to - that? we have consulted people. but obviously, i cannot speak to the - obviously, i cannot speak to the doq _ obviously, i cannot speak to the doq all— obviously, i cannot speak to the dog. all we can say is that he was running _ dog. all we can say is that he was running backwards and forwards and he was _ running backwards and forwards and he was still— running backwards and forwards and he was still in the area where nicola's— he was still in the area where nicola's possessions were. at that timer _ nicola's possessions were. at that time. when — nicola's possessions were. at that time, when the witness found willow, between _ time, when the witness found willow, between the bench and the gate. i have to _ between the bench and the gate. i have to point out, the dog could have _ have to point out, the dog could have got — have to point out, the dog could have got out from there. we will take one more _ have got out from there. we will take one more question, - have got out from there. we will| take one more question, please. have got out from there. we will. take one more question, please. as the police and crime commissioner voiced any of his concerns

surrounding this?- voiced any of his concerns surrounding this? the police and crime commission _ surrounding this? the police and crime commission has _ surrounding this? the police and crime commission has been - surrounding this? the police and crime commission has been kept apprised, but the constabulary has operational independence and has been carrying out the investigation and information stays with the investigation. that is the nature of policing. i willjust give one more question to nick. you policing. iwilljust give one more question to nick.— policing. i willjust give one more question to nick. you have outlined what ou question to nick. you have outlined what you have _ question to nick. you have outlined what you have done _ question to nick. you have outlined what you have done so _ question to nick. you have outlined what you have done so far, - question to nick. you have outlined what you have done so far, which i question to nick. you have outlined what you have done so far, which isi what you have done so far, which is very helpful. but are you able to talk us through... what impact is this having on lancashire police resources? one final point. i know said you going to elaborate on vulnerabilities, but i have had three text messages in the last five minutes asking what they are and what that is about. i’ii minutes asking what they are and

what that is about.— what that is about. i'll take most of that. what that is about. i'll take most of that- in _ what that is about. i'll take most of that. in terms _ what that is about. i'll take most of that. in terms of— what that is about. i'll take most of that. in terms of the - what that is about. i'll take most of that. in terms of the scale - what that is about. i'll take most of that. in terms of the scale of. of that. in terms of the scale of the investigation, it is continuing. that will be kept under review but it is as much of a peak of resourcing and intensity as it has been. both the search and the investigation side remain under review, but we are a significant sized force. where necessary, we will draw on officers and expertise from across the force. our business as usual, police and communities of lancashire, has remained unaffected by this. support nationally, we can draw on mutual aid from other police forces and regions if we need to. we will keep it under review. becky is a experienced senior investigation officer, and will continue as effectively as any sio would do. in terms of vulnerabilities, i feel we have said as much as we can about that. it is personal, private information known to the investigation, but for in our thoughts in addition to the

integrity of the investigation is the privacy of nicola's family. we have said as much as we can. regrettably, we cannot take any more questions. thank you very much. but i do thank you for your attention today. thank you very much. so that is lancashire — today. thank you very much. so that is lancashire police _ today. thank you very much. so that is lancashire police wrapping - today. thank you very much. so that is lancashire police wrapping up - is lancashire police wrapping up that quite detailed press conference there. and worth noting that the premise of it was to address speculation and to some extent criticism, and therefore they said right at the outset that they would be giving more detail than they normally would. more detail than usual. and they did do that. they did run through the timeline which we are already aware of, but they gave us some of the numbers in terms of resources, dedicated detectives. hundreds of hours of cctv, 1500 pieces of information. and the headlines, i suppose, pieces of information. and the headlines, isuppose, they pieces of information. and the headlines, i suppose, they are at the moment saying there is no evidence to indicate a third party

involvement or a criminal element. as things stand, no evidence to indicate third party involvement or a criminal element. the search is continuing on land and water and they gave details of those search efforts and stressed that they are continuing. and then we come onto theissue continuing. and then we come onto the issue of the hypothesis. there are three hypothesis. first of all that she could have been in the river. secondly, there was third party involvement. thirdly, she left the area voluntarily. the main working hypothesis still revolves around the river. they went on to talk about several myths which i will not repeat here, but that is because there has been such a large amount of speculation on social media. tiktok was mentioned. certain pieces of evidence or alleged evidence. they were dealt with by

the police officers there in that press conference. and also, stressing that the response to the police, that first police call on the 27th of january, spelling out how it was deemed high priority immediately and the response then that kicked in. there will be no doubt hoping that that dampens down some of the speculation that has been rising around this case, for the sake, they say, of the family, who are under unimaginable strain right now. so we will have our correspondence who were listening to that and we'll be picking out more details of what new we learned about the police investigation. and we will be coming back to that a little later. now i want to return to that big breaking news this morning. the resignation of scotland pass first minister, nicola sturgeon. it was unexpected. we started hearing just

a few hours ago that it was going to happen. that a statement was going to be made by nicola sturgeon. and she stood up and she gave her reasons for her resignation. it was a huge moment in scottish politics and in uk politics, too. we are going to get some reaction now. rishi sunak, british prime minister, has been tweeting, saying my thanks go to nicola sturgeon for her long—standing service. "i wish her all the best for her next steps. we will continue to work closely with the scottish government on ourjoint efforts to deliver for people across scotland." let's get the reaction from ian blackford, snp mp. what was your reaction to that extraordinary statement?— your reaction to that extraordinary statement? . , ,., ., statement? well, very saddened and sor to statement? well, very saddened and sorry to hear — statement? well, very saddened and sorry to hear that _ statement? well, very saddened and sorry to hear that the _ statement? well, very saddened and sorry to hear that the first _ sorry to hear that the first minister will be standing down. she has been an extraordinary leader for

the snp and the scottish government and i think her resignation speech today was very much the mark of the woman that i know, full of compassion, humility, and i think an honest assessment of the toils for anyone in public life that is leading a country, as she has done. she has taken what i think is a very hard decision and chosen that, for her, the time is to move on, but we should all be very grateful for her achievements, the way she has led us through covid in scotland in particular, and i think a woman that has lays the foundations for scotland ultimately to become an independent country. fin scotland ultimately to become an independent country.— scotland ultimately to become an independent country. on that, she 'oined the independent country. on that, she joined the snp _ independent country. on that, she joined the snp at _ independent country. on that, she joined the snp at age _ independent country. on that, she joined the snp at age 16. - independent country. on that, she joined the snp at age 16. this - independent country. on that, she joined the snp at age 16. this is i independent country. on that, she joined the snp at age 16. this is a| joined the snp at age 16. this is a lifetime ambition to deliver independence for scotland and she hasn't done it.— independence for scotland and she hasn't done it. what has happened is su -ort hasn't done it. what has happened is su- -ort for hasn't done it. what has happened is support for independence _ hasn't done it. what has happened is support for independence has - hasn't done it. what has happened is support for independence has built i support for independence has built over the course of the last few years. she was instrumental in that campaign for the referendum in 201a and has, ithink, solidified campaign for the referendum in 201a and has, i think, solidified that support for independence, let us

through the shambles of the brexit process, and i think it's really the foundations she has laid process, and i think it's really the foundations she has [aid that lead to the party being in the position today, the party of government. it will be up to whoever takes over as leader to build on that legacy and complete thejob of leader to build on that legacy and complete the job of scotland becoming an independent country. she will be a large part of that. she going to go away. i think many of us will have a grateful thanks for the leadership she has shown. i have been the leader of the westminster group for the last five and a half years and i will be sorry to see her stand down but, my goodness, she leaves us in a strong place to build on the work she has done. who leaves us in a strong place to build on the work she has done. who would ou like to on the work she has done. who would you like to see — on the work she has done. who would you like to see as _ on the work she has done. who would you like to see as her _ on the work she has done. who would you like to see as her successor? - you like to see as her successor? that will be up to the members. i think today is for reflecting the achievements of nicola and what she

has meant, and someone that i think has meant, and someone that i think has shown tremendous leadership over the course of the period she has been first minister and i want to thank herfor everything been first minister and i want to thank her for everything she has done. ,, . , thank her for everything she has done. ,, ., , ., done. she taught herself about some --eole will done. she taught herself about some people will be — done. she taught herself about some people will be perfectly _ done. she taught herself about some people will be perfectly able - done. she taught herself about some people will be perfectly able to - people will be perfectly able to cope with her departure, as she jokingly put it, and she said others will be upset, they view her as someone who could deliver independence, and therefore the interpretation is that, now she's gone, will the snp be less able to deliver independence without her so much it deliver independence without her so much . . deliver independence without her so much , ., . ., , ., much it will be a new chapter and i think the fact _ much it will be a new chapter and i think the fact is _ much it will be a new chapter and i think the fact is that _ much it will be a new chapter and i think the fact is that we _ much it will be a new chapter and i think the fact is that we live - much it will be a new chapter and i think the fact is that we live in - think the fact is that we live in a time where people, as she put it, some people will perhaps be pleased to see her moving on. i regret that very strongly because i think she has been an outstanding leader, but she feels now is time for her to be able to have some time for herself and i know, in a different way, as the westminster leader, stepped down a few weeks ago, there is that

weight off your shoulders and she will have some time for herself and for peter, the husband, and to be able to do the things she believes in, and i think it's right we thank herfor the time she in, and i think it's right we thank her for the time she has given. she has been in the snp since age 16, her whole professional life effectively has been in a position of political leadership with the snp. it's right that she thinks about the next few years for her. lets talk about that human element. your experience is directly relevant. lots of people will know you from those wednesday afternoon prime minister's questions, you take a step back from that role. is there a step back from that role. is there a need to be frankly more human in politics and to be more understanding across social media, across wider society? how do you view that role of being a front line politician today? flime view that role of being a front line politician today?— view that role of being a front line politician today? one of the aspects of beini a politician today? one of the aspects of being a front _ politician today? one of the aspects of being a front line _

politician today? one of the aspects of being a front line politician, - of being a front line politician, and you willingly put yourself up for that role, whatever role you have, but there is a price on your family members and i think we all have to reflect on the kind of pressures and, frankly, he this taste you can see in social media, some of the posts attacking her, for nicola to resign and so on, it's all deeply unpleasant and i think all of us in public life, whether in politics of the media, have a responsibility to try and lift the quality of debate, and i think have a situation where there can be respectful differences. let's celebrate the ideas. i think she is a woman that has exemplified the way to behave in public life. i think she has behaved with dignity and i think her statement today is a clear example of that.— think her statement today is a clear example of that. some commentators sa ini this example of that. some commentators saying this may _ example of that. some commentators saying this may be _ example of that. some commentators saying this may be a _ example of that. some commentators saying this may be a good _ example of that. some commentators saying this may be a good day - example of that. some commentators saying this may be a good day for- saying this may be a good day for labour, come into an election next

year without nicola sturgeon, the popularfigurehead year without nicola sturgeon, the popular figurehead for so many people who support her and vote snp. with her gone, does this mean handing an advantage to labour at the next general election? she has been an outstanding _ the next general election? she has been an outstanding leader - the next general election? she has been an outstanding leader for - the next general election? she has been an outstanding leader for us | been an outstanding leader for us but now it will be up to the next generation of snp politicians to step forward. we need to make sure we win the case for scotland to be an independent country to be able to tackle whatever the approach of labour or any other part is, but the next period will be defined by whether or not scotland wants to be an independent country, and the leadership of the new first minister look into that.— look into that. thank you. we can now speak _ look into that. thank you. we can now speak to _ look into that. thank you. we can now speak to the _ look into that. thank you. we can now speak to the former - look into that. thank you. we can now speak to the former leader i look into that. thank you. we can | now speak to the former leader of the scottish conservatives, baroness ruth davidson. thank you for coming on. it's an extra day for scotland and the uk. it was a surprise to many but was it a surprise to you? i

always thought she would go at a time of her own choosing and i know from being in the same sort of situation, though only as a party leader, not a government leader, but you want to be able to make the announcement in your own time and not have the speculation and go out there and call it, a press conference, get it written and get it done for them i don't think there was any doubt she would go at a time of her own choosing. she was under no internal pressure to go to top there is no successor waiting in the wings to step she was under very limited external pressure as well. she was the dominant figure in scottish politics at the moment and she reflected that in her own words in her statement. you she reflected that in her own words in her statement.— in her statement. you can take us inside the — in her statement. you can take us inside the decision-making - in her statement. you can take us. inside the decision-making process in her statement. you can take us i inside the decision-making process a inside the decision—making process a little. she talked about wrestling with it, some days waking up and thinking, i have got enough in the tank to keep going today and then it becoming harder and harderfor her tojustify. do you relate

becoming harder and harderfor her to justify. do you relate to that at all? i to justify. do you relate to that at all? ., ~' , to justify. do you relate to that at all? ., ,, , ., all? i do. i think there is also professional _ all? i do. i think there is also professional pride _ all? i do. i think there is also professional pride that - all? i do. i think there is also professional pride that i - all? i do. i think there is also. professional pride that i spoke about this when jacinda professional pride that i spoke about this whenjacinda ardern in new zealand stepped down to the people talk about what is left in the tank. it's not about feeling you don't have the resilience to go on or you don't have enough scars on your back, it's looking ahead and going, can i do it at the level at which i have done it before, and there is a level of professional pride and not wanting to do something to a degree less well that you have previously done it, and that's one of the big part in me stepping down, ifelt i couldn't go on to the next couple of election, having done seven and two referendums in the time i was leader, to the same level i had done before, and that was what jacinda ardern said and you heard some of that from nicola today as well, i said that not only was it right for her at this time but she thought was right for the party of the country as well, and it is a case of, you know, can i continue to operate at

the level i have operated? politics is funny, it is attritional. it does take your told the ian blackford was right, is notjust the toll it takes on you and your energy levels and your reserves, it's how much you let other people around you down, how many times you have to step out of the family do to answer a call or cancel something you were put to bed because you have to work and the work comes first. there is a point at which you have to say, it is time to move on from that, and the decompression takes a while as well. interesting to tributes from her political supporters, and you are someone who politically, ideological are completely opposite to her in many areas of policy. i are completely opposite to her in many areas of policy.— many areas of policy. i have probably — many areas of policy. i have probably had _ many areas of policy. i have probably had more - many areas of policy. i have i probably had more scrimmage many areas of policy. i have - probably had more scrimmage with nicola sturgeon, certainly publicly, than anyone else, and i'm happy to go toe to toe and do the political knock—about, but i'm not sure that's

what today is for. she has done a pretty big shift. she had 12 years on me before i even started in holyrood for the she had already been an msp for a long time before i started and she has lasted longer since. she has done a big shift and it's an all—consuming job and she said in her own resignation that it had been pretty much her life since she was 16, sol had been pretty much her life since she was 16, so i think the period of decompression she is about to go through will probably be quite difficult for her and she will properly need to give herself a bit of space, and i still disagree with nicola sturgeon on everything but it doesn't mean i haven't got enough appreciation of the effort level that's been put in to say that i wish her well in what happens next. any advice when it comes to decompression?— any advice when it comes to decompression? any advice when it comes to decom-ression? , ., , �* decompression? yes, i do, but i'd rathertell— decompression? yes, i do, but i'd rather tell her _ decompression? yes, i do, but i'd rather tell her that _ decompression? yes, i do, but i'd rather tell her that the _ decompression? yes, i do, but i'd rather tell her that the nation - decompression? yes, i do, but i'd rather tell her that the nation of i rather tell her that the nation of the telly. i rather tell her that the nation of the tell . .. rather tell her that the nation of the tell . ,, ., �* , rather tell her that the nation of the tell . ,, ., �*, ., the telly. i think that's fair enough- — the telly. i think that's fair enough. thank— the telly. i think that's fair

enough. thank you. - the telly. i think that's fair enough. thank you. now i the telly. i think that's fair l enough. thank you. now we the telly. i think that's fair - enough. thank you. now we can the telly. i think that's fair _ enough. thank you. now we can speak to henry mcleish, scotland's first minister between 2000 and 2001. thank you for coming on.- minister between 2000 and 2001. thank you for coming on. thank you. was this news _ thank you for coming on. thank you. was this news a _ thank you for coming on. thank you. was this news a surprise _ thank you for coming on. thank you. was this news a surprise to - thank you for coming on. thank you. was this news a surprise to you - thank you for coming on. thank you. was this news a surprise to you to? l was this news a surprise to you to? cannot really put up i thought for some time that the forces of darkness, in a way, were circling, and whilst i think that obvious recent events, including the gender issue and the improvement of the rapist, may have been a tipping point, i think it has been said before, she has reached the natural level of what she could achieve, and she has been formidable for her party. she has been an excellent snp leader and given great service to her country, which i think we can all, despite political differences, applaud, but i think she has reached applaud, but i think she has reached a point now where, as i said, there are a number of other bigger issues.

first of all, independence is going nowhere. the minds of scots are elsewhere and recent opinion polls merely confirm that. the second point is the country remains divided and unfortunately she has put all her effort into campaigning for independence and at times her party might have been better to spend more time onjust developing might have been better to spend more time on just developing scotland. might have been better to spend more time onjust developing scotland. fin time onjust developing scotland. on that, do you think she lives office when she steps down, when her successor is in place, at a time when scotland is less likely to vote for independence?— for independence? because i don't think scotland— for independence? because i don't think scotland is _ for independence? because i don't think scotland is in _ for independence? because i don't think scotland is in a _ for independence? because i don't think scotland is in a mood - for independence? because i don't think scotland is in a mood for - think scotland is in a mood for independence. i think the polls show that. but i think the long—term issueis that. but i think the long—term issue is clear. scotland needs to develop and build. it needn't focus on one particular strategy. the bigger problem for me is that scotland, so much energy has been

put into the independence question, we have independence wars between london and edinburgh. i think scotland but best interests... but nicholl has served for eight years and i think when she came into the scottish parliament in 1999, she is the longing service moment desperate longest serving member of parliament that she has given great service to her panty and her country i think that politics is a rough trade. it can be an ugly business and there is enormous pressure is as nobody can quite realise what is in the mind of a political leader. ithink quite realise what is in the mind of a political leader. i think she has taken apparent view of the future. she has looked at her party interests and i think one problem for the snp now is she has been such a formidable figure, how do they replace her?— a formidable figure, how do they re-lace her? ., ,., ., , replace her? there are some names come u- replace her? there are some names come up but — replace her? there are some names come up but there _ replace her? there are some names come up but there are _ replace her? there are some names come up but there are no _ replace her? there are some names come up but there are no obvious i come up but there are no obvious successes. where do you think this leaves the labour party? some people commenting this is a good stay politically for the labour party, saying it means, with the next

general election coming up, they are likely to see a boost from this. what do you make of that? festival, this is a day — what do you make of that? festival, this is a day of— what do you make of that? festival, this is a day of paying _ what do you make of that? festival, this is a day of paying respect - what do you make of that? festival, this is a day of paying respect to - this is a day of paying respect to nicola sturgeon and i think all the little parties canjoin in on nicola sturgeon and i think all the little parties can join in on that. labour and the other traditional parties, the conservatives and the liberals, this is an opportunity, but not so much her leaving, it's the fact that the independence campaign has reached such a low ebb. i have maintained for a long time that part of the snp success was the fact that the other parties were not engaging. there is no doubt in my mind that scotland is still reckless little restless, it doesn't want independence, so it's up to the westminster parties to state the way forward for sub i was encouraged by gordon brown wasn't a recent report acknowledging that the union had to change. i think labour will see an opportunity here, but it's an opportunity here, but it's an opportunity in which they have been uncomfortable before. they want to

see scotland as part of the union which needs to be reformed, so i think there will be opportunity for labour, but it's all about the scottish people and, as i said, i think they are divided on the future of the country and what we need is some stability around the debate. for example, let's discuss the future of scotland for the next two or three years and not the future of independence. that or three years and not the future of independence-— independence. that is impossible, reall , independence. that is impossible, really. and — independence. that is impossible, really, and that's _ independence. that is impossible, really, and that's part _ independence. that is impossible, really, and that's part of _ independence. that is impossible, really, and that's part of nicola . really, and that's part of nicola sturgeon's legacy. if you think back to when she joined the snp at age 16 and you look at the difference in electoral fortunes of the snp back then as to now, her as deputy, with alex salmond, and then her time as leader have absolutely transformed the political debate in scotland, and it's very difficult to see that ever—changing in the short or medium term. ever-changing in the short or medium term. , ., , , ever-changing in the short or medium term. ,, ever-changing in the short or medium term. . ., ,, ., �* ,, ever-changing in the short or medium term. ,, ,, term. groups i don't think that's a true assessment _ term. groups i don't think that's a true assessment of _ term. groups i don't think that's a true assessment of the _ term. groups i don't think that's a true assessment of the situation. | true assessment of the situation. you are right to say that, in 2007

after the initial devolution years, we changed to a campaign for independence and you have to give her credit, alex salmond credit, they built up a formidable electoral support for independence and i think it's a lightning rod for scotland but it needn't be the way forward. my but it needn't be the way forward. my view is that the spirit of the devolution years is one for the long view. scotland is not going to be one thing or the other overnight. we have to do many things in scotland, nation—building and constitutional reform, we are not currently doing, so i don't think this marks the end of change. what it does do is to make scots reflect, i hope i think it will make the snp reflect and scold reflect on the idea that we can still move forward, make scotland a vital part of a reformed union, so i don't think it's right to say that she has taken us so far there is no way back. of course there is no way back. of course there is no way back. of course

there is a way back, to look in a bit more measured, and one thing that strikes me about recent times, and it may be because politics is this ugly business, but the behaviour of westminster has been staggering, in the sense, through liz truss, borisjohnson, a contempt for scotland. that attitude can't build stable policies for the of the nation, so i suspect that nicola sturgeon, she has done as much as she can, she had seen the limits of what you can now progress and i think she has taken a dignified, sensible and a decision that i believe will be in the long term in the interests of scotland.- believe will be in the long term in the interests of scotland. thank you for iivini the interests of scotland. thank you for giving us — the interests of scotland. thank you for giving us your— the interests of scotland. thank you for giving us your thoughts, - the interests of scotland. thank you for giving us your thoughts, henry l for giving us your thoughts, henry mcleish. i want to bring you a couple of the tributes coming in on twitter. several high—profile names paying their respects to the leadership. alex salmond, let's start there. scotland's first minister for

start there. scotland's first ministerfor a long time, predecessor of nicola sturgeon to he says, there have been no questions of nicola bosco talents as a first rate political communicator and election winner and, having been there, ifeel for her election winner and, having been there, i feel for her personally. there are two questions for the future, one is that the movement has been left with no clear strategy for independence, because the executive independence, because the executive independence route has been closed and the de facto is up in the air. there is no obvious successor. a range of people in the snp will now be tested in the fire of a leadership inheriting a range of serious government policy changes. quite a detailed message there. we also have some more messages for the let's go tojohn swinney and see that tribute i am very sorry nicola sturgeon decide to step down as first minister and snp leader. she has given outstanding leadership to

our country, government and party. let's go on to some former prime ministers. theresa may, gordon brown, they have been saying, at let's go to theresa may one. we disagree on many issues but i would like to thank you, nicola sturgeon, for your long, tireless service to our country and the professional relationship we maintained as leaders. i can assure you there is plenty of scope to contribute from the back benches. gordon brown said, i want tojoin the back benches. gordon brown said, i want to join others the back benches. gordon brown said, i want tojoin others in the back benches. gordon brown said, i want to join others in thanking nicola sturgeon for her work as a scotland first minister and wish her well in what she does in the future, and there are plenty more messages like that from political allies and political foes, reacting to the news that nicola sturgeon will quit as first minister of scotland. let's listen again to nicola sturgeon announcing her intention to stand

down as scotland's first minister. being first minister of scotland is, in my admittedly biased opinion, the very bestjob 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 am very proud of this office. and i am very proud of what has been achieved in the years i have been in bute house. however, since my very first moments in thejob, 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, evenif came, to have the courage to do so, even if too 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. i have asked the national secretary of the snp to begin the process of electing a new party leader and i will remain in office until my successor is elected. i know there will be some across the country who feel upset by this decision and by the fact i am taking it now. of course, for balance, there will be others who, how shall i put with it, will cope with the news just fine, such i put with it, will cope with the newsjust fine, such is i put with it, will cope with the news just fine, such is the i put with it, will cope with the newsjust fine, such is the beauty of democracy. but, to those who do feel shocked, disappointed, of democracy. but, to those who do feelshocked, disappointed, perhaps feel shocked, disappointed, perhaps even feelshocked, disappointed, perhaps even a bit angry with me, please note that, while hard, he in no

doubt, this is really hard for me, my decision comes for a place of duty and of love, tough love, perhaps, but love nevertheless for my party and, above all, for the country. let me set out as best as i can my reasons. first, though i know it will be tempting to see it as such, this decision is not a reaction to short—term pressures. of course, there are difficult issues confronting the governmentjust now, but when is that ever not the case i have spent almost three decades in front line politics, a decade and a half on the top or second top rung of government. when it comes to navigating choppy waters, resolving seemingly intractable issues or soldiering on when walking away it would be the simpler issue, i have plenty of experience to draw on. so if this were just a question of my ability or my resilience to get

through the latest period of pressure, i wouldn't be standing here today. but it's not. this decision comes from a deeper and longer term assessment. i know it might seem sudden, but i have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity for some weeks. essentially, i have been trying to answer two questions. is carrying on right for me and, more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, for my party and for the country, for my party and for the country, for my party and for the independence because i have devoted my life to? i understand why some will automatically answer yes to that second question, but, in truth, i have been having to work harder in recent times to convince myself that the answer to either of them, when examined deeply, is yes, and i reached a different conclusion

that it's not. the questions are inextricably linked, but let try to take them in terms of the i have been first minister for over eight years and i was deputy first minister, for the best part of eight years before that. these jobs are a privilege, but they are also, rightly, hard and especially in the case of first minister, relentlessly so. to be clear, i am not expecting violins here. but i am a human being as well as a politician. when i entered government in 2007, my niece and youngest nephew were babies, just months old. as i step down, they are about to celebrate their 17th birthdays. now that i think about it, that is exactly the age to be horrified at the foot of your auntie suddenly having more time for you. my point is this, giving

absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it. the country deserves nothing less. but in truth that can only be done by anyone for so long. for me, it is now in danger of becoming too long. a first minister is never off duty, particularly in this day and age. there is virtually no privacy for even ordinary stuff most people take for granted, like going for a coffee with friends or a walk on your own, becomes very difficult, and the nature and form of modern political discourse means there is a much greater intensity. there i said, brutality to life as a politician than in years gone by the all in all, and actually for a long time without it being apparent, it takes its toll on you and on those around you. if that is true in the best of times, it has been more so in recent years. times, it has been more so in recent ears. . . times, it has been more so in recent ears. ., , , ., ., �*, years. that is the statement that's been dominating _ years. that is the statement that's been dominating the _ years. that is the statement that's

been dominating the headlines - years. that is the statement that's been dominating the headlines in l years. that is the statement that's i been dominating the headlines in the uk over the last few hours, nicola sturgeon announcing that she is resigning, saying it was the best job in the world, a privilege beyond measure and she was very proud of what she had achieved to be clear, she is still in the job right now, and she will remain until a successor is chosen. who that successor is chosen. who that successor will be we don't know. there won't be a single candidate. she was asked if she would say who she would back and she declined she won't be back in a successor for the wife she decided to resign, she said it's not a reaction to short—term pressures and she asked, can i give every ounce of energy to the job, and to answer wasn't yes. we are going to pause for the weather. we are looking at quite a mix of weather today in highland scotland, started cloudy with rain and then it brightened up with some sunshine through the latter part of the morning for dub however, cloudy

weather is on the way in the next few hours, with rain returning the a band of rain is crossing the uk, quite a narrow feature with a lot of cloud associated, but either side there is quite a lot of sunshine. the front will continue to weaken, trickling into the parts of the midlands and central southern england, bringing some splashes of rain. the cloud will thicken for the highlands and hebrides, with rain returning but, where we keep sunshine and dry weather or you have that bad of cloud and rain, either way, it's going to be mild overnight, a weak area of low pressure pushing more rain across northern ireland, england, wales and central and southern scotland. it will be frost free for the vast majority, although with clearer skies for northern scotland you might see temperatures dip below freezing for a time for for most, a grey start to thursday with some mist and fog patches in the hills in the west to start. the range of content that is away and this guy is

brightened, but not as much sunshine tomorrow is today the still mild, with temperatures for most in double figures, ten to 1a philip as we enter the week, we have some strong winds of the way due to this area of low pressure whistling into the north of the uk for the strongest winds will be heavy in parts of scotland, where gus could reach 75 mph. it will also be very blowing across the pennines and to the east of the pennines in north—east england. notice the winds coming in from a westerly direction, so areas like the auto—maker one could be buffeted by crosswinds, which brings the hazard of some lorries getting blown over, so a risk of transport disruption and you might disruption at airports and a risk of power cuts. away from the windy weather across the north, a little cloud further south, still with some splashes of rain, temperatures for the most part still on the mild side, 1a for parts of england, nine or ten for northern ireland and scotland. forthe

or ten for northern ireland and scotland. for the weekend and beyond, saturday starting windy, cloudy and wet, probably the right of the days on sunday, but still a lot of cloud around.

today at one... nicola sturgeon resigns as first minister of scotland and leader of the scottish national party. she says after eight years as leader she can no longer give the job the commitment it deserves. giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it. the country deserves nothing less. but in truth, that can only be done by anyone for so long. pressure had been mounting on the first minister but here in edinburgh there is still a sense of shock at this sudden decision. we'll have all the political reaction to the announcement. also this lunchtime... the bittersweet gene therapy that can save the life of toddler teddi shaw, but not her terminally ill older sister with the same condition.