even nicola sturgeon's enemies admire | step of the way. ld 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.

nicola sturgeon — and i'm sure you will. nicola sturgeon is _ and i'm sure you will.'m sure you will. nicola sturgeon is not leaving - and i'm sure you will. nicola| sturgeon is not leaving office because she faces imminent electoral defeat, far from because she faces imminent electoral defeat, farfrom it. her party is still well ahead in the polls and although she divides opinion, there is a lot of support for her. it seems she is going out of a 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 land in that awkward position of praising his opponent.— land in that awkward position of praising his opponent. let me first start by paying _ praising his opponent. let me first start by paying tribute _ praising his opponent. let me first start by paying tribute to - praising his opponent. let me first start by paying tribute to nicola i start by paying tribute to nicola sturgeon for her long—standing public— sturgeon for her long—s

i still disagree with nicola sturgeon on i think but it - note. ot enough appreciation of the effort level that has been put into site that i wish her well and what happens next. rishi sunak thanked nicola sturgeon for her long—standing service. her departure comes at the uk and scottish governments clashed over gender recognition blows. criticised by opponents for her record on education and health, but loaded by the snp faithful. nicola sturgeon's resignation will leave a vast vacancy and a big question for her party and its aim of independence. some of bbc news. in a moment, we will talk tojonathan blake who's in westminster, but first to our scotland editor james cook who's in edinburgh where that news conference took place. nicola sturgeon seem to suggest that opinions of her personality were getting in the way for both her party and for independence. yes. getting in the way for both her party and for independence. yes, it was interesting _ party and for independence. yes, it was interesting to _ party and for independence. yes, it was interes

nicola sturgeon.ng a lot about the impact that being at the front of politics for so long had had on her and her family, and also this idea that she has become a polarising figure in scottish politics, although, to be totally honest with her, it is probably the issue of the constitution and independence that is the polarising factor than any one individual or character, and i think that whoever takes on the mantle of leadership of the scottish national party, and therefore being first minister of scotland, is likely to face the same challenges because there is still a big debate about how the snp can move scotland closer to independence. clearly, the first minister nicola sturgeon has had a successful tenure in some regards, but she has not got any closer, really, to that dream. that is the view from edinburgh. and jonathan blake gave us some of the reaction that we have been getting today from westminster. surprise, as much as anywhere. _ today from westminster. surprise, as much as anywhere. whereve

this news is a surprise that nicola sturgeon is stepping down. what is your reaction? 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

from nicola sturgeon. was talking a lot about the impact that being at the front of politics for so long had had on her and her family. also, as you say, this idea that she has become a polarizing figure in scottish politics, although i think to be totally honest with you, it is probably the issue of the constitution, the issue of independence, that is the realarizing factor rather than any one individual or anyone character. i suspect that whoever takes on the mantle of leadership of the scottish national party and therefore being first minister of scotland is likely to face some of the same challenges because there is a big debate about how the snp can move scotland closer to independence. clearly first minister nicola sturgeon has had a successful tenure in some regards, but she is not any closer really to that dream. geeta: earlier i spoke to our political correspondent in westminster. >> nicola sturgeon saying she no longer felt she was able to get the job the 100% you deserve. nicola sturgeon has dom

that has been the undoing of alex salmond and it has been the undoing of nicola sturgeon. unts for nothing today. it does exactly what nicola has told. but if the party was not involved in worshipping the cult of personality, it would have been able to tell nicola you're gender recognition bill is dynamite, political and social dynamite. don't go down that road. but there was nobody able to say that under the cult of personality. and that is the key thing. whoever becomes the new leader has to understand and make the government, the party and the government in hollywood much more collegiate than it has been in the salmond or sturgeon heroes. we really appreciate you talking to us the nato secretary—general, jens stoltenberg, is beginning a two—day visit to southern turkey today, to meet the president and offer support to areas devastated by last week's earthquakes. he travels to the country as thousands of people who fled the war in neighbouring syria — which was also hit by the disaster — line up at the border to return home. 0ur correspondent, caroline davies is in southe

the fact is that nicola sturgeon is leaving obvious - moment? t sustaining majority of the scottish public being in favour of independence. recent posts show it now very narrowly in the lead but it is too close to call. in terms of public polling it is too close to call and if a second referendum would be held immediately it is far from clear who would win for some it could go either way. the from clear who would win for some it could go either way.— could go either way. the poles have been auoin could go either way. the poles have been going in _ could go either way. the poles have been going in which _ could go either way. the poles have been going in which direction - could go either way. the poles have been going in which direction in - been going in which direction in relation to the independence? ? have they been going up or down? we relation to the independence? ? have they been going up or down?- relation to the independence? ? have they been going up or down? we saw a tem ora they been going up or down? we saw a temporary bounce _ they b

take over nicola sturgeon . see. take over nicola sturgeon.e, isn't she? and it sort of touches on the way that politics in scotland has all sorts of interesting wrinkles, if you like to put that way, because like to put it that way, because she's very religious person. and then this , the gender then we had all this, the gender issue came up might take issue that came up might take the party in slightly different way or even a quite radically different way. and that one make life interesting for life more interesting for you. and indeed and you know, and it indeed and you know, leadership elections are not fun things in politics let's be honest with that so i think we're about to see a real civil war within the snp breakaway and whoever becomes leader where they and probably is they sit and kate probably is you're more centre right politician within the snp and i think a lot of people potentially want to leave the snp . she does become leader and snp. she does become leader and because they wouldn't connect with her politics to be quite hones

nicola sturgeon has been first minister for nicola sturgeon has been first ministerfor more than nicolar is likely to be a competition, not a coronation, as alexandra mckenzie reports. scotland's first female and longest serving first minister nicola sturgeon is now preparing to step aside. 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. # bye—bye, nicola...# across scotland and the political parties, people were quick to react to the surprise resignation. nicola and i didn't agree _ on everything, but in the short time that we did work together, i i was pleased that we were able to announce two freeports - in scotland, that's joint working between the uk governmentl and the scottish government. those freeports are going to attract investment and create jobs - in scotland, which is great, i and i look forward to working with whoever the new first minister is to continue working _ constructively to deliver i for the

that was nicola sturgeon talking a bit earlier on.k harvey msp, the scottish green party co—leader and net zero minister in nicola sturgeon ross cockrell government following an agreement between the snp and the greens to allow for a pro—scottish independence majority in the scottish parliament. good to have you with us. thank you forjoining us. to use nicola sturgeon's own words, are you upset or perhaps even angry by her decision or are you coping with the newsjust by her decision or are you coping with the news just fine question with the newsjust fine question i certainly wouldn't say angry. i do think scotland owes a significant debt of gratitude to someone, whether you agreed or disagreed with nicola sturgeon on independence or any other particular policy, she has been one of the most trusted voices, notjust in scottish politics but uk politics, for a very long time. she has shown dedicated and tireless leadership, especially during the incredibly challenging years of the pandemic. i think a great many people, including her poli

nicola sturgeon has done this with a degree. i degree. must be a bit nervous but| what comes next because you have degree. must be a bit nervous but i what comes next because you have had a pretty constructive and collaborative relationship with the current first minister, but the ants mp and there are other pro—independence parties like yourself. it's perfectly possible that a new leader comes in and says actually, i want to focus on the snp's identity and not on this collaborative approach and the gender recognition legislation, could be an issue on which you clearly take a different view as a party? clearly take a different view as a .a ? ., �* clearly take a different view as a -a ? ., �* , clearly take a different view as a .a ? ., �* , ., clearly take a different view as a -a ? ., �* , ., , , , party? you've mixed up two issues there. party? you've mixed up two issues there- let's _ party? you've mixed up two issues there. let's take _ party? you've mixed up two issues there. let's take the _ party? you've mixed up two iss

nicola sturgeon took over from alex salmond as first minister — after scotland voted against independenceng from him. the political puzzle would be this. nicola _ the political puzzle would be this. nicola sturgeon took the case for having _ nicola sturgeon took the case for having that referendum which i thought— having that referendum which i thought was a puzzling thing to do is i didn't— thought was a puzzling thing to do is i didn't think the supreme court for the _ is i didn't think the supreme court for the united kingdom wouldn't take the case _ for the united kingdom wouldn't take the case. then the thought about the fact for— the case. then the thought about the fact for a _ the case. then the thought about the fact for a general election a referendum would be preferred. what nicholes— referendum would be preferred. what nicholas said today is that she thought— nicholas said today is that she thought she was going to win that boat so _ thought she was going to win that boat so therefore she is going to resigh _ boat so therefore she is going to resigh i— boat so therefore she is

nicola sturgeon wanted a referendum this october.cked by the supreme court, she announced a special conference due in march to discuss the way forward. now a way forward with a new leader. there is no obvious person who has the charisma of nicola sturgeon and alex salmond who might be able to do the job and to push support for independence up. but that's the task that will face them. and the risk undoubtedly is that the party can't find somebody who can provide it with the kind of leadership that both mr salmond and ms sturgeon have provided it with, can't unite it on the independence strategy, can't appeal to the public, and therefore, as a result, the independence movement goes backwards. nicola sturgeon said she's confident her successor will deliver independence and said this is the final phase of that journey. alexandra mckenzie, bbc news. the war in ukraine has, unsurprisingly, seen little to no diplomacy between kyiv and moscow. one area of cooperation has been around prisoner of war exchanges. more than 1,700 ukrainian men an

nicola sturgeon is an _ departure of nicola sturgeon?s an opponent, not an enemy and undoubtedly she was at the end of some very misogynistic and violent abuse. 0n the gender reform bill, they are now not speaking, and the scottish tory secretary of state speaks for scotland. very unusual situation, being a majority support in scotland. and the labour, it is a chance for the leader to make the positive case for change, and that's what keir starmer has to do, labour cannot be the default option of scotland, there has got to be a positive reason, i'm voting labour because i will get this from the labour party. it definitely takes a giant away. a globalfigure, nicola sturgeon. it was nobody, nicola sturgeon taught six or seven people who might stencil it is a feel of people who are not anything like her stature which makes it a lot easierfor labour in the conservative party in scotland. might make in terms of how many seats labour will target before you get, where do you assess that? if you look back to 2017 in 2015 labour lost all of one s

minister nicola sturgeon.aid the same _ minister nicola sturgeon. people said the same thing _ minister nicola sturgeon. people said the same thing to _ minister nicola sturgeon. people said the same thing to both - minister nicola sturgeon. people said the same thing to both of. minister nicola sturgeon. people | said the same thing to both of us. good luck, but you're never going to do it. well, confidence, let me tell you, i know that, together, we can prove them wrong. thank you. applause make. well, what a difference a year makes. for chancellors, three prime ministers, two fairies still missing and one rock star endorsement. that's right, conference, rod stewart is voting labour. were finally reaching out to the scots who grew up on the mean streets of north london. but, conference, seriously, it has been a long, hard road to this point but this is a new era for scotland and for britain. the tide is turning on the tories and the snp. now, were right to thank the first minister for her service and i will

been made, and it is interesting because when -- because people actually through the question to nicola sturgeon. she was very, very quick to shut the comparison down. sturgeon said just a few weeks ago she had plenty left in the tank. either she was being guarded with her intentions a few weeks ago, or potentially things have just moved more quickly than she expected and this is something that has just materialized in the last few weeks. mark: i cannot help but notice your accent, so i have to ask you this question, and i'm expecting an answer from the heart -- what does this mean for scotland's independence campaign? >> that is the big question that's left. for supporters of independence, for supporters of nicola sturgeon's party, i think they will be feeling very disappointed. she has been an incredibly successful leader. she has put the independence issue really firmly back on the agenda when it seemed like it would go away, really, for an edge -- for a generation. it has never really gone away, and she has led her party to election victories. i think this decision, though, does reflect the

editor james cook reports now on the news of nicola sturgeon's resignation.es: no one has done the job longer. no other woman has done it at all. >> good morning. thank you for coming along. james: nicola sturgeon says the job of first minister includes knowing when to call it a day. >> in my head and heart, i know that the time is now, that it is right for me and my party and the country, so today, i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of the party. i am firmly of the view that there is no majority support for independence of 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. james the: s&p itself is divided, split over attempts to make it easier for people to change their gender, and over her plan to try to turn the next general election into a referendum on independence in all but name. >> i free the s&p to choose the path it believes is the right one withou

in a shock announcement snp leader, nicola sturgeon, resigns as scotland's first minister we'll get morethat story and what it means for the future of scotland, in the next hour. the other main stories. the search for nicola bulley continues and police reveal she had �*specific vulnerabilities' that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence a 15—year—old boy and girl are charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna jeye who was killed in a village park in cheshire on saturday. one of the 12 boys rescued from a thai cave in 2018, has died in the uk after suffering a head injury. the uk's most expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition. but it's too late to save her terminally ill older sister. nicola sturgeon is stepping down as scotland's first minister, and leader of the scottish national party. she'll leave office as soon as her successor is chosen. ms sturgeon says she can no longer give the role the full commitment she believes it requires. and she hinted that after eight years as first minister efforts to broaden the appeal of scottish indepe

nicola sturgeon said she was unable _ as well. nicola sturgeon said she was unable to _ as well.ble to go for - as well. nicola sturgeon said she was unable to go for a i as well. nicola sturgeon said i she was unable to go for a walk or go for coffee with friends. how might the fear of being unable to go out affect a person's life?— person's life? being a politician, _ person's life? being a politician, which - person's life? being a politician, which is . person's life? being a politician, which is an| politician, which is an equitably toughjob politician, which is an equitably tough job anyway, and then the added stressor of not being able to unwind from that, so the things that you and i might do to manage stress, go out for a walk, catch up with friends for a coffee, there is always the sense of hypervigilance there, if you have been approached, threatened, and those kinds of situations before, that could happen again. an example might be if we heard a noise outside our house at night, we might assume it is the next—door neighbour's cat in the rubbish again, but if people ha

so nicola sturgeon�*s sudden departure creates a moment of uncertainty for the snp.uding this guide to the resignation — just log on to bbc.com/news, or go via the bbc app. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... hollywood actress raquel welch, often credited with paving the way for modern day action heroines in hollywood films, has died at the age of 82. nine years and 15,000 deaths after going into afghanistan the last soviet troops were finally coming home. the withdrawal completed in good order but the army defeated in the task it was sent to perform. malcolm has been murdered. that has a terrible effect for the morale of the people. i'm terrified of the reprecussions in the streets. one wonders who is next. explosions. as the airlift got under way there was no let—up in the erruption itself. lava streams from a vent low in the crater flow down to the sea to the east of the island, away for the town for the time being. it could start flowing again at any time. the russians heralded the next generation space station with a spectacular

we had nicola sturgeon, the first minister of scotland stepping down after eight years. urgeon is out. what is next? that is our question of the day. he might be located in london, his bosses are likely in edinburgh, it is james athey, aberdeen director. the u.k. politics political story has been a volatile one. at times it impacts the markets. does nicola sturgeon leaving the dial a little? james: it is early days. we have no idea as to a replacement. it doesn't look like they have a strong bench, so i would think at the margin this feels like a bit of a blow for the independence push, but recent polls in the last couple of years have been shifting back in the direction of no anyway. potentially that is why nicola sturgeon has decided to step aside. alix: it does raise a question for me. do you have to hedge any political risks? ever since brexit if you kept doing that it didn't pay off. that makes sense? how do we put this in an investment thesis? james: i think you added to the list of things that are not good news for sterling at the moment. it's not going to be numbe

the search to find a new first minister of scotland is well underway, after nicola sturgeon's surprisecutive committee will meet today to draw up a timetable for the leadership race. ms sturgeon, who's scotland's longest serving first minister, says she'll remain in office until a successor is found. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon has the very latest. who will be scotland's next first minister? the country has had five since the advent of this devolved scottish parliament more than 20 years ago, but who will be the sixth after the unexpected announcement from nicola sturgeon that she is going? i think over the past couple of years there have been many moments when i thought that maybe she will go, particularly after the pandemic, or after an election where there is maybe a natural break. i expected maybe there to be more of a succession plan in place. she is leaving the door wide open. nicola sturgeon was unopposed when she took over from alex salmond, but her successor is likely to face a competition, not a coronation. no one has yet formally declared their intention to stand

will you miss nicola sturgeon ? will you miss nicola sturgeon? mark gbnews.uk in the news agenda. ad its stay? i want your views that as well. my more means guest is mark williams. thomas the man who essentially called out blew the whistle in relation to jemmy savile. but next in the big question , has brexit failed? we question, has brexit failed? we got a red blooded and a rather passionate remainer. sparks will fly. see you . in three. well, a big reaction . my big well, a big reaction. my big opinion. let's have a look at your emails market. gb news .uk. hi, mark says chris in aberdeen. what a beautiful part of the country. chris says hi mark. big fan of the show. i hope the news first minister focuses the day to day issues that matter to people in scotland. however it will be the same party in charge and same woke policies. labour would be no different either. it's time a new centre right eurosceptic in scotland . chris, eurosceptic in scotland. chris, thanks for that and keep those emails coming. it's time for this . it's emails coming. it's time for this. it's time now for t

nicola sturgeon insists this is not the end of the road for her dream.e really be quitting? james cook, bbc news. we will be talking to james in a moment about what happens next. we will be talking to james in a moment about what happens next. the governing body of the scottish national party are about to meet to draw up a timetable for the leadership race. so who are the potential contenders? angus robertson appears to be one of the favourites. he's currently the consitution secretary and has been a high—profile figure in the party for the best part of a decade. he was the snp's leader in westminster. finance secretary kate forbes is also seen as a frontrunner. she's risen quickly through the ranks in recent years and delivered the government's budget in 2020 just hours after her predecessor quit. she is currently on maternity leave. john swinney, who is the deputy first minister, is another potential contender. he's been leader of the snp before, back in 2000 and is therefore probably the most experienced option open to the party. justice secretary kei

will you miss nicola sturgeon ? will you miss nicola sturgeon? mark gbnews.uk in the news agenda. s the bbc licence fee had its stay? i want your views that as well. my more means guest is mark williams. thomas the man who essentially called out blew the whistle in relation to jemmy savile. but next in the big question , has brexit failed? we question, has brexit failed? we got a red blooded and a rather passionate remainer. sparks will fly. see you . in three. well, a big reaction . my big well, a big reaction. my big opinion. let's have a look at your emails market. gb news .uk. hi, mark says chris in aberdeen. what a beautiful part of the country. chris says hi mark. big fan of the show. i hope the news first minister focuses the day to day issues that matter to people in scotland. however it will be the same party in charge and same woke policies. labour would be no different either. it's time a new centre right eurosceptic in scotland . chris, eurosceptic in scotland. chris, thanks for that and keep those emails coming. it's time for this . it's emails coming. it's time for th

whether you think it's a betrayal of brexit i'll be exploring what led to nicola sturgeon's resignation and i'll be joined by the priest was acquitted after being arrested for a silent prayer outside an abortion centre and of course bring you the very latest on the nicola bulley investigation. but first, here's the news with own armstrong . the news with own armstrong. good afternoon. it's 3:00. i am aaron in the gb newsroom and we do start with some breaking news from the last half an hour. lancashire police say a body has been found in the river wyre. they've searching for nicola bulley who disappeared from the area more than three weeks ago. police they can't yet confirm the body is that of the missing of two and they're working on formally identifying the body. they're currently treating the death as unexplained and, say her family has been informed about the latest development . about the latest development. more on that story as soon as we get it here at gb news. now, a cabinet minister says johnson's intervention on the ireland protocol is not because there is still plenty of to

austin was nicola sturgeon good for scotland ? absolutely exceptional scotland?for scotland domestically and international is wales just that would put scotland on the map and terms our biggest achievements and i mean for example she led the covid pandemic and i'm such a fantastic model so much that she managed to gain the largest share of the vote and largest number of votes during the trip dunng number of votes during the trip during the 2021 hold a direction which was during the pandemic and the number on things like the baby box to love the child and the child payment to the kids out of poverty infrastructure work, the queen said . exhaustion. of course, the said. exhaustion. of course, the consumption was great for scotland. the most recent opinion actually showed that 64% of scots felt it should not take a job and across the entirety of the uk, 46% felt she felt she'd done a good job. those are stats that any four of the eight gordon tory families would have dreamed of when they left office . ann widdecombe nicola sturgeon must have been brilliant scotland

austin was nicola sturgeon good for scotland ? absolutely exceptional scotland?for scotland domestically and international is wales just that would put scotland on the map and terms our biggest achievements and i mean for example she led the covid pandemic and i'm such a fantastic model so much that she managed to gain the largest share of the vote and largest number of votes during the trip dunng number of votes during the trip during the 2021 hold a direction which was during the pandemic and the number on things like the baby box to love the child and the child payment to the kids out of poverty infrastructure work, the queen said . exhaustion. of course, the said. exhaustion. of course, the consumption was great for scotland. the most recent opinion actually showed that 64% of scots felt it should not take a job and across the entirety of the uk, 46% felt she felt she'd done a good job. those are stats that any four of the eight gordon tory families would have dreamed of when they left office . ann widdecombe nicola sturgeon must have been brilliant scotland

i mean, nicola sturgeon is somebody who has led with distinction.nd if you think about the work that she put in through the years of covid, she didn't put a foot wrong during the disastrous brexit process. i've worked very closely with her in terms of the snp�*s reaction, the broader reaction to the uk decision to leave the european union, and also let's not forget poll ratings. she is continually polling better than any other political leader in the uk. and we've also heard from the british prime minister rishi sunak, who thanked her "for her long—standing service" and said also, "the government will continue to work closely with the scottish government to deliver for people across scotland." what is this mean for scottish independence? what is this mean for scotland going forward and indeed for the s&p. let's speak tojim murphy. you have in the past been former leader of the scottish independent party but also editor of. i welcomed you to the programme. let me ask you first of all what impact do you think this could have or potentially have on sco

and it is a challenge because there was nicola sturgeon in office for eight years and towards the ended much further forward than it was at the start of her eight years? it much further forward than it was at the start of her eight years?- the start of her eight years? it was shot news on _ the start of her eight years? it was shot news on wednesday - the start of her eight years? it was shot news on wednesday when - the start of her eight years? it flu; shot news on wednesday when nicola sturgeon said she was going to resign as first minister and now we are starting to see the runners and riders coming forward for that position of leader of the scottish national party and that is what the snp is, it coalesces around the issue of independence. the opinion polls as we look at them over a period of time have not particularly changed, that is correct. as a leader, nicola sturgeon, during the pandemic she pulled very high in the opinion polls with people here in scotland. this is a challenge, of course. one of the criticisms i think that has been put out by the reign of nicola sturgeon is

let's talk about nicola sturgeon. that has been about nicola sturgeon.e now gone out there and said they will run. we can show the audience images of the scottish health secretary and also someone who was on the front bench but quit over the controversial gender reforms. the interesting thing about this, despite the many successes of nicola sturgeon, she was not very good at making a succession plan, was she? i good at making a succession plan, was she? : :, , good at making a succession plan, was she? _, , ., was she? i contest that wholeheartedly. - was she? i contest that wholeheartedly. in i was she? i contest that i wholeheartedly. in holyrood was she? i contest that - wholeheartedly. in holyrood we was she? i contest that _ wholeheartedly. in holyrood we have a number— wholeheartedly. in holyrood we have a number of individuals who are excellent — a number of individuals who are excellent communicators with good experience of being in government in difficult _ experience of being in government in difficult times. he experience of being in governmen

nicola sturgeon middle name is actually ferguson . ferguson. actually ferguson. ferguson. sarah ferguson on the phone. very. i'm happy about that. oh my question. five your final question. five your final question. who did nicola sturgeon jokingly say that she would endorse for the next leader of the snp ? was it a, leader of the snp? was it a, lewis capaldi b, alex salmond or c, andy ? oh no , but he was nice c, andy? oh no, but he was nice to go. i think it has some down to go. i think it has some down to tie together. and did you buy animal anyway it wasn't acrimonious the post sort of what the schools are somebody out there will work is nicola sturgeon backed andy murray on twitter after he jokingly said that he was interested in getting into politics after tennis. now there is a vacancy . tennis. now there is a vacancy. do you think he'd make a good leader of the snp? i think you actually i have to look at these any career to look better than so it's going to be alex salmond if they after that history. well he's not going to come back as. you might know so as well so

it follows nicola sturgeon�*s surprise resignation yesterday. so, who are the potential contenders?y the constitution secretary and used to be the snp's leader in westminster. finance secretary kate forbes has risen quickly through the ranks, and delivered the government's budget in 2020 just hours after her predecessor quit. she is currently on maternity leave. in the last two minutes, the deputy first ministerjohn swinney has ruled himself out of the race. —— in the last few minutes. justice secretary keith brown is seen as close to the party's grassroots and was elected the party's deputy leader in 2018. and humza yousaf, the health secretary, has held several senior posts in government. he's part of a newer generation of snp figures. james cook looks at the challenges for the new leader. is scottish independence running out of road? downing street is blocking a second vote on this nation leaving the uk. instead, nicola sturgeon suggested treating the next general election as a referendum in all but name. but now she's going, the snp may abandon that approach, leaving some vetera

i think it's because nicola sturgeon, the became a sturgeon, the snp, became a symbol a stronger forronger for scotland. so if you either protest or anti by voting for the other and so now we are moving that moving past we're realising that you political gravity you know political gravity is taking the snp are being taking hold on the snp are being held account these held to account for these problems nicola is problems. nicola sturgeon is wriggling on to scrutiny and she knows dream of independence knows the dream of independence is that's why she's is dying. that's why she's bowing out before too late. and my goodness, the labour party will be. i mean, imagine a conference planned for this weekend happened this weekend after what happened this week. them to week. it's something for them to stand platform on. and stand on their platform on. and the they have council of the snp, they have council of their conference on independence. so they'll take some would presume to some time, i would presume to think about the way forward, will they absolutely, yes, will they not? absolutely, ye

interestingly, she also said that nicola sturgeon�*s husband running the contest to replace her was a010, is chief executive of the snp. ms regan conceded she was the outsider in this race but she said she was standing for change, not continuity. lorna, thank you, lorna gordon. cricket, england are taking on south africa in the semifinal of the t20 world cup. south africa chose to bat first. a short while ago they were 31-0. the 31—0. the winners will meet australia who reached their seventh straight t20 final yesterday after a win over india. now let's return to ukraine and to clive myrie in kyiv. jane, thank you. a year ago, the life of everyone here was transformed overnight. at the time, there was a fear russia would take kyiv in days. that didn't happen of course, but the fighting has forced millions to leave their homes. as many as eight million ukrainian refugees have been recorded across europe, though some have now returned. and this map shows where they all went, and how many have fled to each country. while russia has claimed 2.8 million ukrainians have fled east across its

he's now a member of nicola sturgeon�*s cabinet.ohn swinney, a former party leader, now deputy first minister, is the most experienced snp figure after nicola sturgeon. and humza yousaf, who's 37, is the health secretary and a prominent member of the newer generation of snp leaders. our scotland editor, james cook, joins us again. whoever succeeds will have a hard act to follow. well, they will, because nicola sturgeon will be remembered as one of the most successful politicians of the most successful politicians of her generation in terms of what she delivered at the ballot box, a string of landslide victories for the snp, and if you take a step back to see where she came from, she talked about the 1980s, growing up in ayrshire, and it could have been pretty lonely in those days to campaign for scottish independence when labour was dominant in scottish politics. to go from there all the way to a scottish parliament and to run the government here for eight years is no small achievement, to say the least. but she has always beenin sa

the race is on to succeed nicola sturgeon as snp leader and first minister of scotland.s standing. so too are scotland's health secretary humza yousaf and former minister ash regan. 0ur correspondent lorna gordon is in glasgow for us. and, lorna, this leadership contest is beginning to take shape. yes, it is. kate forbes the latest to announce her candidacy this morning, saying that scotland and the snp were at a major crossroads. she promised competent leadership to deliver independence and she said she wanted to lead the snp with integrity and commitment, and she pledged to reach out and listen. this morning, humza yousaf the health secretary launched his campaign. his pitch was that he has the experience, he has been in government for more than ten years here in scotland. he is seen by many as a continuity candidate, he said thatis as a continuity candidate, he said that is no bad thing. and he also said he wasn't wedded to nicola sturgeon�*s preferred strategy for another independence referendum. i have some concerns about using a westminster general election as a de

nicola sturgeon's resignation. defeated in ukraine, but not crushed. emmanuel macron's says, aiming for a total defeat of russia on its own soil has never been his country's position . he has been country's position. he has been criticised by some nato allies for delivering mixed messages regarding his policy towards the war. the kremlin has accused macron of duplicitous diplomacy , saying his remarks show the west is discussing regime change in russia . tv, online and dab in russia. tv, online and dab radio . this is gb news. now back radio. this is gb news. now back to cabinet . welcome back. i'm to cabinet. welcome back. i'm joined by mordaunt, now leader of the house of commons and tory mp for portsmouth north. thank you for joining mp for portsmouth north. thank you forjoining me in mp for portsmouth north. thank you for joining me in the studio. penny let's get straight down to business now. the northern ireland protocol negotiated ongoing. it negotiated and are ongoing. it strikes me that a lot of tories, ma

nicola sturgeon 555ttt departure is a defeat for independence.british identity and scotland is the enduring challenge for the union. sheffield will become the latest city in the uk to introduce a clean air zone on monday, charging drivers of the most polluting vehicles. dan johnson reports. no to clean air zones. no to extortionate charges for driving in our own city. | there's a new battle zone in the fight for clean air. sheffield's seen opposition. so has cambridge, and other cities, too, as clean air zones hit more 5treet5 across the country. my my work two wife were my wife commutes. my work two wife were my wife commune— my work two wife were my wife commutes. ., , ., ., ., ., commutes. two cars are not a lot. it's a very _ commutes. two cars are not a lot. it's a very poor — commutes. two cars are not a lot. it's a very poor way _ commutes. two cars are not a lot. it's a very poor way to _ commutes. two cars are not a lot. it's a very poor way to be thinking | it's a very poor way to be thinking of how— it's a very poor way to be thinking

nicola sturgeon took herself the race.eally and already beginning to show its in this early days contest . we've this early days contest. we've got kate forbes, who is very popular . got kate forbes, who is very popular. many got kate forbes, who is very popular . many people got kate forbes, who is very popular. many people inside party. she's cambridge educated. she's a rising star. she's considered very much on the money. she's definitely got her friends in the party, but she is not the same sort of progressive as it were brand of the snp nicola sturgeon was presenting. she's conservative minded, socially christian in her beliefs and she's actually pretty much centre right on economic issues. she also disagree with the gender recognition act , disagree with the gender recognition act, which is obviously an extremely contentious issue inside the snp .then contentious issue inside the snp . then on the other side we've got humza yousaf who's , the sort got humza yousaf who's, the sort of continuity candidate and sturgeon'

it minister nicola sturgeon.select a new leader will close on the 27th of march. we know that the deputy first minister, john swinney , has announced he john swinney, has announced he will not enter the race . thank will not enter the race. thank you scottish government, you for scottish government, meanwhile, has offered health care staff an average 6.5% pay rise. workers would also receive a one off payment of between 400 and £900. unison scotland's head of health, matt mclaughlin , has of health, matt mclaughlin, has called it a credible pay offer that needs serious consideration . continued efforts . tv, online . continued efforts. tv, online and dab radio. this is. gb news. welcome back to andrew pierce on strikes. yes, more strikes this time it's the border force workers here, they're staging a fresh walkout part . their fresh walkout part. their dispute over pay, pensions and conditions . members of the conditions. members of the pubuc conditions. members of the public commercial union in public and commer

so it's long in office as nicola sturgeon.k that shows that if you go won't get i won't get elected. yeah do you think we're seeing the rise of woke identity politics? i'm more it. i mean, i kind of hate the of identity politics because i don't expect that it's really a thing. right? it's just people living their lives as viscerally as you live , as a as a as a white bloke. right. things that right. you're the things that you to in your identity you clutch to in your identity are just what gay or trans people doing. same people are doing. in the same way. think that is way. i don't think that is actually such a radical departure. you know, if you departure. but, you know, if you were looking at how to win elections , you would elections in scotland, you would look has look at what nicola sturgeon has been because the snp white been doing because the snp white nationalist, know, would nationalist, you know, i would personally snp , but personally go for the snp, but they're on to they're clearly on course to have most at the ne

nicola sturgeon's cabinet from.sturgeon's cabinet over this , but it has proved over this, but it has proved a hugely divisive and by the british government imposing, citing 35 and deciding to block it as not compatible with wide equality legislation . it sort of equality legislation. it sort of teed up this confrontation between westminster and holyrood on this particular issue is, you know, proved so divisive across the uk. germany clearly has widened these fissures that we were already seeing within the snp. let's tackle michael. they're talking about snp mp is blocking each other on social media. i mean this is an extraordinary position for the party that was once so united, so disciplined in its message it's really fallen apart . that's it's really fallen apart. that's right. i rememberjust in the aftermath of the 2015 general election, when the snp 56 out of 59 seats in scotland and labour introduced just one instead of the 41 that they went, the 2010 term reaction these snp pmqs came down to westminster weari

the big political news of the week was the surprise announcement by nicola sturgeon that she would betanding down from her post as first standing down from her post as first minister of scotland for wednesday's news at six. minister of scotland. for wednesday's news at six, the bbc was in edinburgh speaking to the bbc scotland editorjames cook. and james joins me now. a resignation completely out of the blue this. what are we to make of it? and political editor chris mason, a huge politicalfigure, as you say, and political editor chris mason. a huge political figure, as you say, here in scotland, but a big political figure on the uk stage as well. those two were still on duty at 10:00, by which time huw edwards was there to present. live in edinburgh, where the first minister, nicola sturgeon, has taken everyone by surprise by announcing her resignation. this gave rise to a familiar complaint to regular newswatch viewers expressed here byjeff hardy. interestingly, we did discuss this back in the past with a bbc manager, who said on newswatch that they would be rethinking some of these

to scotland now — where the first two candidates to replace nicola sturgeon as leader of the snp — andh health secretary humza yousaf, and the former minister ash regan. ash regan is a8, and resigned from the government in october in protest against a law which would make it easier for transgender people to legally change their gender identity. speaking to the sunday mail newspaper, she said: we need a new direction and we need to reprioritise. we need to bring back unity, draw a line under certain things and move past them. i believe i am the person to do that. the electorate expect the scottish government to focus on things that are important to them. that means the nhs which is still struggling to get back on its feet after the pandemic. scottish health secretary humza yousaf, who supports the gender recognition bill, also declared his intention to stand saying he had the experience needed to govern. he said: i've thought hard about it and i've decided to put myself forward as scotland's next first minister. i'm doing it because the top job requires someone who has experience and i

no—one embodied it more fully than nicola sturgeon.ependence. even the unpopularity of brexit here and the toppling of four conservative prime ministers have moved the dial a few points, at most. but drill down into the opinion polls that consistently show the country roughly divided 50—50 on independence. the young remain overwhelmingly in favour, and there's even strong support among the middle—aged. many nationalists believe time is on their side, that the fruit of independence is ripening on the tree of age demographics, and it will eventually fall into their laps. the union has been strongest over the ages when it's been built on shared values and a common sense of purpose. nicola sturgeon�*s departure is a defeat for independence, but reversing the slow generational decline of british identity in scotland is the enduring challenge for the union. allan little, bbc news, galloway. in one of the most hyped matches in the history of boxing novices tommy fury — the reality tv star — has beaten youtuberjake paul in a multi—million doll

oni the basis that nicola sturgeon was a fornridabie _ the basis that nicola sturgeon was a formidablewe're out of time, - kezia and alex. thank you very much for your time and company. save time 61 fahrenheit, which is well above the february average. it was well above average in most places and it will again be well above average during the day on tuesday because we're bathed in the atlantic air. weather fronts towards the north and strong winds, high pressure keeping the winds a little lighter further south and the weather fronts at bay. so, not as windy as we go into tuesday across the northern northern isles as we had monday, but wetter, and some rain approaches towards the west. elsewhere, misty low cloud shrouding the hills and coasts in fog, and some drizzle in the west. central and eastern areas have the better chance of the sunshine, perhaps the north coast of wales, the moray firth, and that's when we'll see temperatures responding to that sunshine, again 14—15. but then a change as we go through towards wednesday. behind this weather front, we �*ve got a change in wind dire