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A very quick guide to Nicola Sturgeon's resignation A very quick guide to Nicola Sturgeon
(12 days later)
Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of Scotland's government and a champion of her country's independence movement, says she's stepping down. If you're not up to speed or don't follow politics, here's what you need to know about her. Nicola Sturgeon is no longer the leader of Scotland's government, but she hasn't left the headlines. If you're not up to speed or don't follow politics, here's what you need to know about her.
She says she's stepping down for personal reasons She was arrested and released on the same day
"I'm not expecting violins here, but I am a human being as well as a politician," she said at a big press conference. "These jobs are a privilege, but they are also rightly hard." She said it had nothing to do with her current political woes, but the brutality of modern politics "takes its toll" on politicians and those around them. The former first minister attended a police station voluntarily where she was taken into custody and questioned for seven hours. Shortly afterwards, she tweeted: "I know beyond doubt that I am innocent of any wrongdoing". The enquiries in the case continue.
It's been a tough few months for the Scottish leader The investigation relates to donations of more than £660,000
Recently, she's been pushing for reform of gender recognition laws - but that's proved controversial. She's also been embroiled in several high-profile rows, such as whether a rapist should go to a men's or women's prison, and uncertainty about the campaign for Scottish independence from the UK - one of the things she's been best known for. The money was donated by activists for a future referendum campaign, but party accounts later showed it had much less than that in the bank.
It also covers her husband
Officers searched Ms Sturgeon's home and arrested her husband Peter Murrell, who was until recently also senior in the SNP. Almost two weeks later, the treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested.
A luxury motorhome is involved
It was seized by police from outside the home of Mr Murrell's mother in Dunfermline. Party sources reportedly said the motorhome was bought as a "battle bus" ahead of the last Scottish Parliament election in May of that year but it was never used as one.
She said she stepped down for personal reasons
By the time she stepped down in February, her popularity in polls had been hit due to several high-profile rows, such as whether a rapist should go to a men's or women's prison. However, she said her resignation had nothing to do with current political woes, but that the general brutality of modern politics "takes its toll" on politicians and those around them.
Scotland is part of the UK but has its own national governmentScotland is part of the UK but has its own national government
Ms Sturgeon is the longest-serving First Minister (or leader of the Scottish government). She took over the Scottish National Party (the main pro-independence party) after Scotland voted against independence in 2014 - and has been in charge ever since. Ms Sturgeon is the longest-serving First Minister (or leader of the Scottish government). She took over the Scottish National Party (the main pro-independence party) after Scotland voted against independence in 2014 - and was in charge until February 2023. Humza Yousaf is now first minister.
Her approval ratings have dropped She wanted to hold another independence referendum this year
The gender recognition row, along with mounting political problems like healthcare and rising prices, have hit her popularity hard. Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice from Strathclyde University told the BBC she is "far and away the most popular leader" in Scotland, though her popularity is as low as it has been while she's had the job. But the UK Supreme Court said Scotland couldn't do this without the permission of the UK government. It isn't going to give that permission but still determined, Ms Sturgeon said the SNP would treat the next general election - where the UK chooses who runs the country - as if it were a vote about independence. There's no sign Westminster would accept that argument.
It's unclear what her resignation means for independence
Ms Sturgeon wanted to hold another vote this year, but the UK Supreme Court said Scotland couldn't do this without the permission of the UK government, which it wasn't going to give. Still determined, she said the SNP would treat the next general election - where the UK chooses who runs the country - as if it is a vote about independence. But there's no sign Westminster would accept that argument.
She used to be a lawyerShe used to be a lawyer
Ms Sturgeon has a law degree and worked as a solicitor. But she has been member of the SNP since she was just 16 - and became a member of the Scottish parliament 13 years later. She says she'll stay in politics even if she's stepping down from the top job. Ms Sturgeon has a law degree and worked as a solicitor. But she has been member of the SNP since she was just 16 - and became a member of the Scottish parliament 13 years later.
And no-one knows who will replace her
Ms Sturgeon's announcement came as a surprise to many - and there's no clear successor lined up. So she's said she'll remain in office until a replacement is elected by her party.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Scottish governmentScottish government
Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
SNP leadership contest 2023SNP leadership contest 2023
SNP (Scottish National Party)SNP (Scottish National Party)