Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will stand down as First Minister after eight years, arguing that resigning is the best step for herself, her party and for Scotland.In a shock announcement, the SNP leader told a press conference on Wednesday that she believes it is the "time is now" to stand aside but denied she is reacting to "short-term pressures" after a series of political setbacks.The longest serving - and first female - First Minister said from her residence at Bute House in Edinburgh th

Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will stand down as First Minister after eight years, arguing that resigning is the best step for herself, her party and for Scotland.In a shock announcement, the SNP leader told a press conference on Wednesday that she believes it is the "time is now" to stand aside but denied she is reacting to "short-term pressures" after a series of political setbacks.The longest serving - and first female - First Minister said from her residence at Bute House in Edinburgh that she will remain in office while the SNP select her successor.