Nicola Sturgeon resigns as First Minister of Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that she is resigning as First Minister of Scotland after more than eight years at the helm of the Scottish government

Sturgeon announced her resignation during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

After the independence referendum, Sturgeon assumed office as Scotland's first minister in November 2014, succeeding Alex Salmond.

She said that she will remain in office until a successor is elected. "My decision comes from a place of duty and love."

Sturgeon insisted that this was the right time for her to step down as First Minister and SNP leader. However, she said that she will not be stepping away from politics and wants the SNP to fight the next general election as a de facto referendum. 

She admitted that she had been wrestling with the idea of stepping down for several weeks, but that this was not a reaction to short-term pressures.

"The nature and form of modern political discourse means there is a much greater intensity - dare I say it brutality - to life as a politician than in years gone by."

The BBC have identified a handful of people who could replace her as leader of the SNP. These include deputy first minister John Swinney, finance secretary Kate Forbes, health secretary Humza Yousaf and Angus Robertson.