tonight at six: we're live at holyrood as nicola sturgeon shocks the political world, announcing her resignation as first minister. the longest—serving leader of this nation, ms sturgeon said she'd followed her head and her heart in deciding to stand down. 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. she faced many political challenges, but the news — out of the blue — has stunned voters. i really liked her, as a person as well as a first minister. but i think she's been there long enough. and she knew herself

it was time, you know? we'll look at the legacy of a leader who led the snp to repeated election victories — and ask what next for the party and for scotland. also on the programme: the latest on the search for the missing mother nicola bulley. police reveal that the as—year—old, who's been missing for 19 days, was considered a high—risk missing person from the start. because of alcohol—related issues related to the menopause. as soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner, paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, nicola was graded as high—risk. and the one—year—old who's received the most expensive medicine ever approved for the nhs — a £3 million life—saving gene therapy.

arsenal could be replaced at the top of the list by manchester city as the two sides meet at the emirates. good evening from holyrood, where politicians and voters alike are reeling at the news that nicola sturgeon — scotland's first minister for more than eight years — is to resign. in a wide—ranging and emotional address, ms sturgeon said that in her head and her heart, she felt this was the right time to step down. the news, which was totally unexpected, has sent shockwaves across the country. we will be examining what might lie behind her decision. we will be getting reaction from people here, and we will be looking at her legacy. our first report is from our scotland editorjames cook, on the bombshell that is

nicola sturgeon�*s resignation. no nicola sturgeon�*s resignation. one has done thejc other no one has done thejob longer, no other woman has done it at all. good mornin: , other woman has done it at all. good morning, everyone. _ other woman has done it at all. good morning, everyone. thank— other woman has done it at all. (13mm morning, everyone. thank you for coming along. but morning, everyone. thank you for coming along-— morning, everyone. thank you for coming along. but nicola sturgeon sa 5 the coming along. but nicola sturgeon says the job _ coming along. but nicola sturgeon says the job description _ coming along. but nicola sturgeon says the job description of - coming along. but nicola sturgeon says the job description of first - says the job description of first minister includes knowing when to call it a day. in minister includes knowing when to call it a day-— call it a day. in my head and in my heart, i call it a day. in my head and in my heart. i know— call it a day. in my head and in my heart, i know that _ call it a day. in my head and in my heart, i know that time _ call it a day. in my head and in my heart, i know that time is - call it a day. in my head and in my heart, i know that time is now, . call it a day. 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 is to step down as first minister and leader of my party. individual polls come and 90, my party. individual polls come and go, but i am firmly of the view that there is no 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. but the snp is itself _ divide in scottish politics. but the snp is itself divided, _ divide in scottish politics. but the snp is itself divided, split - divide in scottish politics. but the snp is itself divided, split over i snp is itself divided, split over attempts to make it easier for people to change gender, and over ms sturgeon�*s plan to try to turn the next general election into an independence referendum in all but name. ~' , independence referendum in all but name. , . , ., independence referendum in all but name. , . ., ., name. making my decision clear now, i free the snp — name. making my decision clear now, i free the snp to _ name. making my decision clear now, i free the snp to choose _ name. making my decision clear now, i free the snp to choose the - name. making my decision clear now, i free the snp to choose the path - i free the snp to choose the path are believed to 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 that path. will steer us i believe successfully on that path-— on that path. first minister, i think it's _ on that path. first minister, i think it's fair _ on that path. first minister, i think it's fair to _ on that path. first minister, i think it's fair to say _ on that path. first minister, i think it's fair to say that - on that path. first minister, i think it's fair to say that the i on that path. first minister, i . think it's fair to say that the nhs is in a really serious situation. the attainment gap between rich and poor pupils which you had said was one of your core missions as first minister remains pretty wide. and despite what you are saying today, polls suggest that you have got nowhere near creating a sustained majority for independence. do you have regrets about one or any of

those issues?— have regrets about one or any of those issues? james, i'm a human beinu. i those issues? james, i'm a human being- i don't _ those issues? james, i'm a human being. i don't know— those issues? james, i'm a human being. i don't know if— those issues? james, i'm a human being. i don't know if you've - those issues? james, i'm a human being. i don't know if you've got i being. i don't know if you've got regrets about things in your life. of course, i got regrets about all sorts of things in my life, and when i reflect on my time as first minister there will be things i am hugely proud of and things i will regret and if i had my time again would have done differently. there will be time for me to do that, and i'm sure for you, and i'm sure you will. . ., ., ,, ., i'm sure for you, and i'm sure you will. _, ., ,, ., , ., i'm sure for you, and i'm sure you will. ., ,, ., , ., ., will. nicola sturgeon is not leaving office here at _ will. nicola sturgeon is not leaving office here at bute _ will. nicola sturgeon is not leaving office here at bute house - will. nicola sturgeon is not leaving office here at bute house because| office here at bute house because she faces imminent electoral defeat. far from she faces imminent electoral defeat. farfrom it, her party is she faces imminent electoral defeat. far from it, her party is still way ahead in the polls, and although she divides opinion, there is a lot of support for her. no, it seems she is going out of the combination of frustration and fatigue. and while she has been here, there have been five uk prime ministers. rishi sunak the one to land in that awkward position of praising his opponent. let me first start by paying tribute to nicola _ let me first start by paying tribute to nicola sturgeon for her long—standing public service, and i

wish her_ long—standing public service, and i wish her well in the future. obviously, nicola and i didn't agree on everything, but in the short time that we _ on everything, but in the short time that we did — on everything, but in the short time that we did work together, i was pleased — that we did work together, i was pleased that we were able to announce two free ports in scotland. i announce two free ports in scotland. i first _ announce two free ports in scotland. i first met _ announce two free ports in scotland. i first met nicola sturgeon when i was 12_ i first met nicola sturgeon when i was 12 years _ i first met nicola sturgeon when i was 12 years old, _ i first met nicola sturgeon when i was 12 years old, because - i first met nicola sturgeon when i was 12 years old, because she - i first met nicola sturgeon when ii was 12 years old, because she was standing _ was 12 years old, because she was standing in — was 12 years old, because she was standing in an— was 12 years old, because she was standing in an election _ was 12 years old, because she was standing in an election against - was 12 years old, because she was standing in an election against my| standing in an election against my father, _ standing in an election against my father, so— standing in an election against my father, so we _ standing in an election against my father, so i've seen _ standing in an election against my father, so i've seen her— standing in an election against my father, so i've seen her from - standing in an election against my father, so i've seen her from that| father, so i've seen her from that time _ father, so i've seen her from that time stop— father, so i've seen her from that time stop she _ father, so i've seen her from that time stop she has _ father, so i've seen her from that time stop she has seen _ father, so i've seen her from that time stop she has seen me - father, so i've seen her from that time stop she has seen me growl father, so i've seen her from that. time stop she has seen me grow up father, so i've seen her from that- time stop she has seen me grow up in life, time stop she has seen me grow up in life. perhaps. — time stop she has seen me grow up in life. perhaps. and _ time stop she has seen me grow up in life, perhaps, and i've _ time stop she has seen me grow up in life, perhaps, and i've seen— time stop she has seen me grow up in life, perhaps, and i've seen her- life, perhaps, and i've seen her grow— life, perhaps, and i've seen her growup— life, perhaps, and i've seen her growup in— life, perhaps, and i've seen her grow up in politics _ life, perhaps, and i've seen her grow up in politics in _ life, perhaps, and i've seen her grow up in politics in that - life, perhaps, and i've seen her. grow up in politics in that period, and there — grow up in politics in that period, and there have _ grow up in politics in that period, and there have been _ grow up in politics in that period, and there have been lots - grow up in politics in that period, and there have been lots of - and there have been lots of disagreements, _ and there have been lots of| disagreements, arguments, and there have been lots of - disagreements, arguments, lots of back—and—forth, _ disagreements, arguments, lots of back—and—forth, but _ disagreements, arguments, lots of back—and—forth, but one _ disagreements, arguments, lots of back—and—forth, but one thing - disagreements, arguments, lots of back—and—forth, but one thing you | back—and—forth, but one thing you can't _ back—and—forth, but one thing you can't doubt — back—and—forth, but one thing you can't doubt is _ back—and—forth, but one thing you can't doubt is that _ back—and—forth, but one thing you can't doubt is that this _ back—and—forth, but one thing you can't doubt is that this is - back—and—forth, but one thing you can't doubt is that this is someone who is— can't doubt is that this is someone who is unable _ can't doubt is that this is someone who is unable politician, _ can't doubt is that this is someone who is unable politician, someone| who is unable politician, someone who is unable politician, someone who has— who is unable politician, someone who has been_ who is unable politician, someone who has been in— who is unable politician, someone who has been in politics _ who is unable politician, someone who has been in politics for- who is unable politician, someone who has been in politics for 20 - who has been in politics for 20 years. — who has been in politics for 20 years. and _ who has been in politics for 20 years, and that _ who has been in politics for 20 years, and that is _ who has been in politics for 20 years, and that is worthy - who has been in politics for 20 years, and that is worthy of. who has been in politics for 20 - years, and that is worthy of respect and thanks — years, and that is worthy of respect and thanks -- _ years, and that is worthy of respect and thanks. —— someone _ years, and that is worthy of respect and thanks. —— someone who- years, and that is worthy of respect and thanks. —— someone who is- years, and that is worthy of respect and thanks. —— someone who is anl and thanks. —— someone who is an able _ and thanks. —— someone who is an able politician _ and thanks. -- someone who is an able politician.— able politician. alex salmond was her mentor _ able politician. alex salmond was her mentor turned _ able politician. alex salmond was her mentor turned tormentor. - able politician. alex salmond was| her mentor turned tormentor. i'm able politician. alex salmond was - her mentor turned tormentor. i'm not sure this is — her mentor turned tormentor. i'm not sure this is a — her mentor turned tormentor. i'm not sure this is a bad _ her mentor turned tormentor. i'm not sure this is a bad thing _ her mentor turned tormentor. i'm not sure this is a bad thing at _ her mentor turned tormentor. i'm not sure this is a bad thing at all. - sure this is a bad thing at all. there is talent in the snp. the key litmus test will be whether the next leader seize the opportunity to redefine the strategy for independence, to broaden the base of

the independence campaign and starts articulating the fundamental coast for scottish self—determination. nicola sturgeon's sudden departure creates a moment of uncertainty for the snp, for scotland and for the future of the uk itself. and james joins me now. a resignation out of the blue — what are we to make of it? it's certainly a surprise. the pressure had been building on nicola sturgeon but not to the extent that anybody seriously thought she was going to leave the stage in such a sudden and dramatic fashion. people are now already thinking, how is she going to be remembered because mike i think she will be remembered as a politician, one of the leading politicians of a generation here in scotland, not least because she delivered a string of landslide election victories. having said that, why was she in politics? she is here for one reason above all, right back to when she was a teenage girl in ayrshire in the 1980s, a time she once described to me as a

time she once described to me as a time of near hopelessness under the conservative government of margaret thatcher, which she ferociously opposed. she had a dream then that scotland could one day become independent. if people had said at that point that she, and snp politician, would lead a powerful devolved snp government here for eight years, that would have been a pretty extraordinary statement, so clearly the snp has made significant progress. she did keep the flame of independence for its supporters burning after the defeat in 2014, when voters in scotland rejected it at the ballot box, but ultimately, and despite a set of circumstances that might have been regarded as pretty good for her to advance the cause in terms of scotland leaving the eu against its wishes, and unpopular conservative government in scotland at westminster, and economic troubles as well, she had opportunities to advance the cause of independence, but ultimately here we are. she is may be somewhat

closer to the dream of independence, certainly closer than she was in the 19805, certainly closer than she was in the 1980s, but how she advanced that because during her eight years? her critics will say, not really. don’t critics will say, not really. don't no critics will say, not really. don't to too critics will say, not really. don't go too far. _ critics will say, not really. don't go too far. we _ critics will say, not really. don't go too far, we will— critics will say, not really. don't go too far, we will come - critics will say, not really. don't go too far, we will come back . critics will say, not really. don't| go too far, we will come back to critics will say, not really. don't - go too far, we will come back to you a little later in the programme. nicola sturgeon has dominated scottish politics for nearly a decade. shejoined the snp and backed independence for scotland from a young age. she was praised for her handling of the covered pandemic —— covid pandemic. like every leader, she has faced her share of criticism for decision she has made throughout her career. bbc scotland's martin geissler looks now at nicola sturgeon's legacy. it is a journey which began on the doorsteps of ayrshire and took her to the highest office in the land, when a teenage nicola sturgeon was delivering leaflets in the 80s, the snp were a fringe party. neither she nor they could have imagined what lay ahead.

nor they could have imagined what la ahead. .., . nor they could have imagined what la ahead. _, ., ,, ., lay ahead. nicola sturgeon! cheering _ cheering the first years of her leadership must have felt like a dream. shy by nature, she was filling arenas and strutting the stage like a rock star. scottish politics had never seen the like. it star. scottish politics had never seen the like.— seen the like. it is now a significant _ seen the like. it is now a significant force - seen the like. it is now a significant force in - seen the like. it is now a | significant force in british politics. _ significant force in british politics, not only scottish politics. _ politics, not only scottish politics, and indeed if the next uk election— politics, and indeed if the next uk election produces a hung parliament, the snp _ election produces a hung parliament, the snp presence at westminster might— the snp presence at westminster might yet prove to be a crucial form of leveraged for securing another referendum. but of leveraged for securing another referendum-— referendum. but the good times didn't last long. _ referendum. but the good times didn't last long. alex _ referendum. but the good times didn't last long. alex salmond, l didn't last long. alex salmond, sturgeon's mentor, was cleared of a series of six charges in court. the case caused a rift between the pair that would never heal. there were struggles on policy as well, on health, education and on the economy. it is argued that scotland is worse off now than when she took over. recent controversial policies on gender for most particularly prompted claims she had either lost

touch with or stop caring about the public mood. there is all of that. all those problems and more, and yet half of scotland, give or take, is still foursquare behind nicola sturgeon and her vision of an independent future. the problem is, that needle is not shifting, not really, and the polls suggest she will struggle to get her lifelong ambition across the line. so she has decided that somebody —— it is somebody else's battle now, but she promised today she will stay in the fight, right behind them. i promised today she will stay in the fight, right behind them.— fight, right behind them. i firmly believe that _ fight, right behind them. i firmly believe that my _ fight, right behind them. i firmly believe that my successor, - fight, right behind them. i firmly i believe that my successor, whoever she or he may be, will lead scotland to independence and i will be there cheering him or her on every single step of the way. cheering him or her on every single step of the way-— step of the way. even nicola sturgeon's _ step of the way. even nicola sturgeon's enemies - step of the way. even nicola sturgeon's enemies admire | step of the way. even nicola i sturgeon's enemies admire her strength is — a tireless worker and a great communicator, she still has approval ratings any leader anywhere would envy.

approval ratings any leader anywhere would en . ~ ., approval ratings any leader anywhere would en . a, , would envy. more disagreements with nicola sturgeon. _ would envy. more disagreements with nicola sturgeon, certainly _ would envy. more disagreements with nicola sturgeon, certainly more i nicola sturgeon, certainly more public— nicola sturgeon, certainly more public ones, than any one else. i still disagree with nicola sturgeon on everything, but it doesn't mean i don't _ on everything, but it doesn't mean i don't have _ on everything, but it doesn't mean i don't have enough appreciation of the effort — don't have enough appreciation of the effort level that has been put in to say— the effort level that has been put in to say i— the effort level that has been put in to say i wish her well in whatever— in to say i wish her well in whatever happens next. and in to say i wish her well in whatever happens next. and so the show was over. _ whatever happens next. and so the show was over. scotland's - whatever happens next. and so the show was over. scotland's leading l show was over. scotland's leading lady, rock star to some, feel and to others, is leaving the stage on her own indelible mark on the country. martin geissler, bbc news, edinburgh. so, what are the challenges facing nicola sturgeon's successor? the scottish government is responsible for large swathes of domestic policy, including health and education. whoever takes over will be faced with the current controversy over public sector pay and the longstanding issue of having the highest levels of drug deaths in europe. so how do the people here feel about losing a leader they've had for over eight years? our scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports from greenock to assess the impact of nicola sturgeon's resignation.

greenock and inverclyde, on its quiet high street the news and noise surrounding nicola sturgeon's surrounding nicola stu rgeon's resignation surrounding nicola sturgeon's resignation has been filtering through. resignation has been filtering throu~h. �* ., ,~ through. i'm sad, i nearly cried. reall ? through. i'm sad, i nearly cried. really? yes- — through. i'm sad, i nearly cried. really? yes. big _ through. i'm sad, i nearly cried. really? yes. big deal, - through. i'm sad, i nearly cried. really? yes. big deal, nicola i really? yes. big deal, nicola sturueon really? yes. big deal, nicola sturgeon going _ really? yes. big deal, nicola sturgeon going for— really? jazz big deal, nicola sturgeon going for you? yes, but really? iezs big deal, nicola sturgeon going for you? yes, but you got to move on. popular among some, others glad she is going. it is got to move on. popular among some, others glad she is going.— others glad she is going. it is time she resigned _ others glad she is going. it is time she resigned anyway. _ others glad she is going. it is time she resigned anyway. she - others glad she is going. it is time she resigned anyway. she needed| others glad she is going. it is time l she resigned anyway. she needed to resin. she resigned anyway. she needed to resign- why? _ she resigned anyway. she needed to resign- why? i— she resigned anyway. she needed to resign. why? i don't _ she resigned anyway. she needed to resign. why? i don't know, - she resigned anyway. she needed to resign. why? i don't know, she's i she resigned anyway. she needed to| resign. why? i don't know, she's not done anything _ resign. why? i don't know, she's not done anything for — resign. why? i don't know, she's not done anything for scotland. - resign. why? i don't know, she's not done anything for scotland. this i done anything for scotland. this area was split _ done anything for scotland. area was split down the middle between those voting yes on those voting no on the referendum on scottish independence. the division is still obvious among those at a local cafe. celebrating or commiserating?- local cafe. celebrating or commiseratinu? , ., commiserating? 0h, commiserating. i think it is a sad _ commiserating? 0h, commiserating. i think it is a sad loss _ commiserating? 0h, commiserating. i think it is a sad loss to _ commiserating? 0h, commiserating. i think it is a sad loss to politics. i think it is a sad loss to politics. personally i don't think anybody can touch her as far as politicians are

concerned. she is sharp as a tack, but i think she has probablyjust had enough. ads, but i think she has probably 'ust had enoughfi but i think she has probably 'ust hadenou:h. �* , ., ., had enough. a bit of a shock today. the news this _ had enough. a bit of a shock today. the news this morning. _ had enough. a bit of a shock today. the news this morning. i'm - had enough. a bit of a shock today. the news this morning. i'm quite i had enough. a bit of a shock today. | the news this morning. i'm quite pro snp myself, — the news this morning. i'm quite pro snp myself, sol the news this morning. i'm quite pro snp myself, so i think she has been -ood snp myself, so i think she has been good for— snp myself, so i think she has been good for scotland. | snp myself, so i think she has been good for scotland. i am snp myself, so i think she has been good for scotland.— good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i think— good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i think since _ good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i think since the _ good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i think since the snp - good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i think since the snp came i good for scotland. i am an ex nhs and i think since the snp came in | and i think since the snp came in and i think since the snp came in and in_ and i think since the snp came in and in particular, _ and i think since the snp came in and in particular, nicola, - and i think since the snp came in and in particular, nicola, the i and in particular, nicola, the health— and in particular, nicola, the health service _ and in particular, nicola, the health service has _ and in particular, nicola, the health service has slid - and in particular, nicola, the health service has slid downl and in particular, nicola, the i health service has slid down the hill in _ health service has slid down the hill in scotland. _ health service has slid down the hill in scotland.— health service has slid down the hill in scotland. what do you make of her resigning? _ hill in scotland. what do you make of her resigning? i _ hill in scotland. what do you make of her resigning? i quite _ hill in scotland. what do you make of her resigning? i quite agree i hill in scotland. what do you make| of her resigning? i quite agree with heroin. of her resigning? i quite agree with her going- i — of her resigning? i quite agree with her going. ithink— of her resigning? i quite agree with her going. i think she _ of her resigning? i quite agree with her going. i think she has - of her resigning? i quite agree with her going. i think she has come i of her resigning? i quite agree with her going. i think she has come to l her going. i think she has come to the end _ her going. i think she has come to the end of— her going. i think she has come to the end of her— her going. i think she has come to the end of her road. _ her going. i think she has come to the end of her road. lots- her going. i think she has come to the end of her road.— the end of her road. lots of greenock — the end of her road. lots of greenock have _ the end of her road. lots of greenock have high - the end of her road. lots of greenock have high levels i the end of her road. lots of| greenock have high levels of deprivation. the work the snp government with nicola sturgeon at the helm has done to combat this appreciated by many here, although some do have doubts about more recent decisions she has made. free prescriptions — recent decisions she has made. free prescriptions for _ recent decisions she has made. fae: prescriptions for over 605, free bus prescriptions for over 60s, free bus passes for over 60s, the schoolkids that all get bus passes. that helps them get to school on the dark mornings. d0

them get to school on the dark mornings-— them get to school on the dark morninhs. i. ~ , .,, mornings. do you feel like she has had areas where _ mornings. do you feel like she has had areas where she _ mornings. do you feel like she has had areas where she is _ mornings. do you feel like she has had areas where she is less - had areas where she is less sure—footed? had areas where she is less sure-footed?— had areas where she is less sure-footed? ~ ., , sure-footed? with the transgender, eah, i sure-footed? with the transgender, yeah. i didn't _ sure-footed? with the transgender, yeah, i didn't agree _ sure-footed? with the transgender, yeah, i didn't agree with _ sure-footed? with the transgender, yeah, i didn't agree with that. i sure-footed? with the transgender, yeah, i didn't agree with that. you l yeah, i didn't agree with that. you are in the most _ yeah, i didn't agree with that. you are in the most socially deprived area _ are in the most socially deprived area in— are in the most socially deprived area in scotland, so i suppose the snp policies she has driven and lead have helped this area. what snp policies she has driven and lead have helped this area.— have helped this area. what like? the child payments, _ have helped this area. what like? the child payments, the - have helped this area. what like? the child payments, the baby i have helped this area. what like? i the child payments, the baby boxes, anything _ the child payments, the baby boxes, anything that has kind of help kind of promote and improve child poverty has helped _ of promote and improve child poverty has helped in this area, so she has been _ has helped in this area, so she has been a _ has helped in this area, so she has been a big — has helped in this area, so she has been a big advocate for that. nicola sturheon been a big advocate for that. nicola sturgeon has _ been a big advocate for that. nicola sturgeon has dominated _ been a big advocate for that. nicola sturgeon has dominated scottish i sturgeon has dominated scottish politics for years. it will be a climb ahead for those who hope to follow her as first minister. 0ur political editorjoins me now. she is a huge politicalfigure, not just in scotland, what are the likely consequences of her going? abs, likely consequences of her going? huge political figure but a big huge politicalfigure but a big political figure huge politicalfigure but a big politicalfigure on a huge politicalfigure but a big political figure on a uk stage in an era which feels like near permanent revolution with leaders coming and

presumably —— is seemingly every five minutes. she is a leader who had been around for a long time. so long that when she started as a first minister, the prime minister and sir keir starmer weren't even mps. that gives you a sense of the longevity. a politician who was successful in every kind of electoral term which would matter. and yet confronted failure on the thing that defined her most politically, that desire for independence, and in particular that desire for another referendum with the prospect of that seemingly slipping away. something the snp regard as something that is deeply unjust but nonetheless a political reality. i think what is striking tonight when we look at where this leaves politics across the uk, is when you speak privately to her political opponents, to conservatives and labour. they say they are relieved. they are relieved because they were well aware that they faced in nicola sturgeon a

formidable political opponent. they think the union of the uk nations is stronger tonight with her in an departure than it would have been if she had stuck around. in making that reflection privately, they are paying her the ultimate political component. for her, for scotland, for the snp, a look for new leadership. for her, looking for a new role. and a period of uncertainty. because it isn't obvious who might take over. not just as a party leader but as first minister of scotland in a matter of perhaps six to eight weeks' time. thanks very much. 0ur political editor with his reflections. i will be back with more from edinburgh a little bit later but for the rest of the day's news lets join sophie in london. police searching for the missing woman nicola bulley have revealed that she has �*specific vulnerabilities�* — linked to alchohol — that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence. the 45—year—old mother of two went missing nearly three weeks ago whilst walking her dog at st michaels on wyre in lancashire. 0ur correspondent

danny savage reports when nicola bulley�*s partner reported her disappearance, information given immediately classed her as a high—risk missing person. police say this was due to specific vulnerabilities, they discussed the case at a news conference today. i they discussed the case at a news conference today.— they discussed the case at a news conference today. i have asked you to res-ect conference today. i have asked you to respect the _ conference today. i have asked you to respect the family _ conference today. i have asked you to respect the family who - conference today. i have asked you to respect the family who are i conference today. i have asked you j to respect the family who are going through unimaginable pain and distress at the moment. but those vulnerabilities based on our decision—making as grading nickel as high risk. this decision-making as grading nickel as hihh risk. , , .,, high risk. this is where her mobile hhone high risk. this is where her mobile phone was — high risk. this is where her mobile phone was found. _ high risk. this is where her mobile phone was found. police _ high risk. this is where her mobile phone was found. police today i high risk. this is where her mobile | phone was found. police today said her dog was discovered between defence and the gate. the harness was found between the bench and the a police expert told us that at the

time she disappeared there was enough flow in the water to carry her to a nearby weir and on towards the sea. such has been the speculation surrounding this case that police today felt compelled to clarify their position. in 221 that police today felt compelled to clarify their position.— clarify their position. in 29 years holice clarify their position. in 29 years police service — clarify their position. in 29 years police service i've _ clarify their position. in 29 years police service i've never - clarify their position. in 29 years police service i've never seen i police service i've never seen anything like it. some of it has been quite shocking.— anything like it. some of it has been quite shocking. nothing has contradicted _ been quite shocking. nothing has contradicted their _ been quite shocking. nothing has contradicted their theory - been quite shocking. nothing has contradicted their theory that i contradicted their theory that nicola bulley fell in the river. there is no evidence whatsoever or information to suggest any third party involvement or nicola leaving that field. the party involvement or nicola leaving that field. , ., . party involvement or nicola leaving thatfield. , ., . ., , party involvement or nicola leaving thatfield. , ., . ., ., that field. the search goes on to hel- a that field. the search goes on to help a family _ that field. the search goes on to help a family get _ that field. the search goes on to help a family get answers. i that field. the search goes on to | help a family get answers. danny savage, bbc news, lancashire. the death toll from the earthquakes in turkey and syria has now reached more than 41,000. but nine days after the devastating quakes, there are still people being rescued alive from under the rubble. today a 74—year—old woman was pulled from the ruins of her home near the epicentre in the city of maras. she had buried under the rubble

for 226 hours before she was found. a 15—year—old boy will serve at least 14 years in jail after stabbing a man to death outside a supermarket in redditch. 53—year—old ian kirwan was attacked at the town's asda store last march after telling off a group of boys for misbehaving in the customer toilets. jurors heard the boy was part of a masked gang that "terrorised" the public, and was in town to deal drugs. relatives of epsom college headteacher emma pattison and her seven—year—old daughter lettie — who were found dead at their home earlier this month — have paid tribute to them. it is believed that george pattison killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life. in a statement, the family said it was an "enormous comfort" to see the esteem in which emma was held, and described lettie as a "vibrant little girl" with "a heart—melting smile and an intellect beyond her years."

price rises in the uk have slowed for a third month in a row. official figures show that inflation fell to 10.1% last month, from 10.5% in december. but food costs have risen steeply, especially the price of sugar and olive oil, which went up by more than 40% since january last year. the labour leader sir keir starmer says his predecessor, jeremy corbyn, will not stand for the party at the next general election. mr corbyn was leader when the equality and human rights commission said the party acted unlawfully in its approach to anti—semitism. he's since been suspended from being a labour mp, instead working as an independent. today, the equalities watchdog said labour had improved how it handled antisemitism complaints. jeremy corbyn called it a flagrant attack on democracy tonight. a one—year—old girl who has a rare inherited condition that severely damages the brain and nervous system has become the first child to be treated by the nhs using a new life—saving gene therapy. the treatment costs

almost £3 million, and is the most expensive medicine ever approved for the nhs. the little girl was diagnosed after her three—year—old sister was found to have the same life limiting condition, called mld. she, however, cannot be treated. our medical editor, fergus walsh, has been following the family since the start of teddi's treatment last summer. teddi and nala have mld, metachromatic leukodystrophy. this little piggy went to market... children are born apparently healthy, but the condition gradually attacks the brain and body. ..all the way home. are you a ladybird? ladybird! this was nala when she was two. now, a year later, she can't walk or talk and is tube—fed. her body is basically kind of gradually shutting down. she will lose her eyesight, she will lose most of her

senses and it will basically come to a point where there is nothing left for her to lose. nala's mld progressed too far for her to be treated. but it meant the condition was picked up in her sister teddi before damage was done. she's at royal manchester children's hospital having stem cells removed from her blood, the first stage of a ground—breaking gene therapy. so, when they told us that there was treatment available for teddi, it was kind of like, a bit like a bit of a bitter pill to swallow because nala can't be helped, so you know, we are extremely grateful in one sense and then really sad on the other. two months later, teddi's personalised therapy, called libmeldi, is ready. scientists have added a working copy of the faulty gene which causes mld to teddi's cells.

they're your cells. libmeldi costs more than £2.8 million, though the nhs has agreed a confidential discount. this one—off infusion aims to stop teddi's disease in its tracks. teddi will need to spend several more weeks in hospital while her gene—altered cells make their way to her bone marrow and start to produce the crucial missing enzyme that causes her condition. fewer than ten children a year in the uk are likely to be eligible for libmeldi. one reason why the price tag is so high. teddi's doctors are trialling similar treatments for other rare conditions. i think it will be transformative in genetic diseases. libmeldi shows that we can take their own stem cells, put in

the gene that their illness is deficient or faulty in, and correct the condition. teddi can expect a healthy future. but nala is terminally ill. her parents want mld screened for at birth, so it's always picked up early enough for treatment. fergus walsh, bbc news. you can watch bittersweet medicine, fergus' exclusive programme looking at the patients, families and clinicians using the uk's most expensive medicine, on bbc iplayer now. just search for bittersweet medicine. time for a look at the weather. here's tomasz schafernaker. a beautiful day out there for some. absolutely. take a look at the scene from one of our weather watchers. this is beautiful dorset. 0ne from one of our weather watchers. this is beautiful dorset. one of the rock formations around that area and hardly a cloud in the sky. for many of us it was a mixed picture and we had a bit of rain. tomorrow this is

what these guys will look like across much of the country. a really drizzly start. a rainy start for some of us. turning a little bit dry later probably. here is the area of cloud drifting and slowly off the atlantic and will be spreading across the country during the course of the night. the bulk of the rain is across wales and england. in scotland, not much rain, and in the north it'll probably be clear and quite chilly, so three degrees for our friends quite chilly, so three degrees for ourfriends in quite chilly, so three degrees for our friends in stornoway on thursday morning. you can see how the rain moves out of the scene into holland through the course of the morning. the clouds tend to break up a little bit. temperatures on the mild side tomorrow. 13 degrees widely across the southern half of the uk, more like ten, 11 further north. i want to highlight friday because there is a big area of low pressure that'll be sweeping across the country. it means very strong winds from early

on friday morning. gusts of wind, 50 to 70 mph across parts of scotland, 60 possible, this is friday morning across glasgow, edinburgh, and to the east of the pennines, possibly 70 mph. that means disruption, perhaps some trees blown over, so take it steady across the northern half of the uk. to the south of that, not as blustery, but there might be cloud and rain around as well. into the weekend, things are looking like a mixed bag. there will be some rain but i don't think it'll be some rain but i don't think it'll be raining all the time. they will be raining all the time. they will be a bit of sunshine too. back to you, rita. thank you very much. james cook joins us once again to consider this momentous day in scottish politics. it is an announcement, james, that has stunned the nation, what comes next? ., , has stunned the nation, what comes next? . , ., ., , , next? immediately, a leadership contest, next? immediately, a leadership contest. a _ next? immediately, a leadership contest, a contest _ next? immediately, a leadership contest, a contest which - next? immediately, a leadership contest, a contest which will i contest, a contest which will determine notjust who leads the snp

and will be determined by members of the snp but of course who leads the scottish government here as well. the westminster leader, stephen flynn, who isn't even sitting in this parliament, he sits at westminster by definition, is ruling himself out. potential runners and riders, kate forbes the finance secretary who is on maternity leave. john swinney who is filling in for her at the moment. angus roberts. a couple of other cabinet names who might be options. but whoever it is, he also you will have to think about what they can do to try to advance their key cause of independence. does that mean a refresh of the vision of independence? does it mean a rethink of the tactics towards independence? it possibly does. and also the thorny issue of gender for them to contend with. what do they do about that?— them to contend with. what do they do about that? james, many thanks. that is all from _ do about that? james, many thanks. that is all from us _ do about that? james, many thanks. that is all from us here _ do about that? james, many thanks. that is all from us here at _ that is all from us here at holyrood. before wejoin that is all from us here at holyrood. before we join our colleagues across the nations and

regions where you are, let's take a look back at nicola sturgeon's life in politics. we've already had a tory free scotland, now we need a completely free scotland-— free scotland. nicola sturgeon has been duly elected _ free scotland. nicola sturgeon has been duly elected to _ free scotland. nicola sturgeon has been duly elected to serve - free scotland. nicola sturgeon has been duly elected to serve on i free scotland. nicola sturgeon has been duly elected to serve on the | been duly elected to serve on the scottish— been duly elected to serve on the scottish parliament. applause how are you doing? good to see you again. how are you? here we are stop standing on the cusp of our moment in history. applause if that is the result of the referendum, then clearly i am deeply disappointed. soon to be first minister. cheering of the tectonic plates of scottish politics have shifted. coronavirus

is the biggest challenge of our lifetime and the measures we take to tackle it must reflect the magnitude of that. stay—at—home. i can announce that the scottish government is proposing that the independence referendum be held on the 19th of october 2023. please know, 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. hello and welcome to sportsday live from the bbc sport centre — i'm paul scott and here's what's coming up. tight at the top: manchester city can leapfrog arsenal at the summit of the premier league tonight, we'll be live in north london.