Nicola Sturgeon has announced her resignation at Scotland's First Minister.
Ms Sturgeon made the announcement at Bute House in Edinburgh this morning, after eight years of leading the nation.
The SNP leader stated that she decided to leave after "wrestling" with the decision for several weeks, and coming to a "long term assessment" about her future.
She added that she could not give the role of First Minister "every ounce of energy" it needed.
She will officially leave her post once her successor is elected.
Ms Sturgeon stated that being the First Minister was "the best job in the world".
She added: "Part of serving well is to know, almost instinctively, to know when the time is right ... in my head and my heart I know that time is now...
"These jobs are a privilege but they are relentlessly hard. I am not expecting violins but I am a human being."
She also mentioned the need for the independence movement to "reach across the divide" in Scottish politics and that a new leader is required for this, as well as changing the tone and tenor of Scottish politics.
She will continue as an MSP and stated she will continue to fight for independence.
Ms Sturgeon led the SNP to a string of election victories, including in the 2021 Scottish parliament election.
However in recent months she has endured one of the most difficult periods of her time as First Minister, after her proposal for a second independence referendum was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Ms Sturgeon wanted the SNP to fight the next general election as a 'de facto' referendum, a plan that was met with a mixed reaction from within the party.
There was also opposition to her proposed gender reforms bill, amid controversy over transgender prisoners being placed in women's prisons.
Tributes to Ms Sturgeon's time in office have come in from across the Lanarkshire region.
East Kilbride MSP, Collette Stevenson told Lanarkshire Live: “Nicola Sturgeon has been an incredibly formidable First Minister, and this can’t have been an easy decision to make.
"Eight years is a long time to lead and it must have taken a huge personal toll – she will be an enormous loss as First Minister and party leader.
“For now we await further details from her speech and to consider what happens next for our party."
Airdrie and Shotts MSP Neil Gray Tweeted: ""Absolutely gutted by the news this morning. Nicola Sturgeon has been an incredible leader for the party and the nation, an inspiration home and abroad.
"She will be sorely missed not least because of the phenomenal contribution she has made for us all for which I just say thank you".
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