Sturgeon said the decision was not linked to recent short-term issues, and she had been wrestling with the decision for weeks. She said she would not give an opinion on who she wanted to succeed her as Scottish National Party leader.
Although she said she would not be leaving politics, Ms Sturgeon said her resignation as Scotland’s first minister “frees the SNP” on the issue of Scottish independence “to choose the path it believes to be the right one without worrying about the perceived implications for my leadership”.
“But that support needs to be solidified and it needs to grow further if our independent Scotland is to have the best possible foundation. She went on: “If the only question was ‘can I battle on for another few months?’, then the answer is yes, of course I can. She said in Scotland there are now “stronger protections for victims of domestic abuse, and parliament will soon consider legislation to improve access to justice for victims of rape and sexual offences”.
BBC chief political correspondent Nick Eardley earlier reported a source close to Ms Sturgeon saying: “She’s had enough.”
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