NICOLA Sturgeon will stand down as Scotland’s First Minister after eight years in power.
The SNP Leader is set to deliver a major speech in Edinburgh at 11am this morning, formally declaring her resignation.
Nicola Sturgeon will stand down as First Minister of Scotland
She hasn’t yet confirmed a reason for standing down.
Ms Sturgeon took over as SNP Leader from Alex Salmond after the 2014 independence referendum, which the Yes campaign lost.
She’s been a staunch campaigner for an independent Scotland and pushed for a de-facto second referendum to go ahead this year.
But that was shot down by the Supreme Court who clarified a referendum could only take place with permission from Westiminster.
The First Minister recently faced huge criticism after transgender double rapist Isla Bryson was almost transferred to a Scottish women’s prison.
And she faced similar backlash for championing the controversial Scottish gender reform bill.
The bill means anyone aged 16 or over in Scotland can change the sex on their birth certificate needed after a six-month process – simply by signing a legal declaration.
But the UK government says it will invoke a special article to block it from ever passing into law.
Support for Ms Sturgeon and independence has tumbled recently.
Yougov polling conducted during the Isla Bryson scandal in late January saw Ms Sturgeon’s approval rating drop to -4.
Support for the SNP has also slumped from 50 to 44% in the constituency vote, and from 40 to 36% in the regional vote.
Over the weekend a Panelbase survey for the Sunday Times found 42% of voters in Scotland though Ms Sturgeon should resign immediately amid gender recognition controversies.
