Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as Scotland's First Minister

The Scottish National Party leader gave a short-notice press conference at her official residence Bute House in Edinburgh this morning.

She said: "Being the First Minister of Scotland is the very best job in the world. It had inspired me in good times and toughest hours of my days. I am very proud of what I have achieved in Bute House.

"In my head and in my heart I know that my time is now. It is right for me, my party and country. I am stepping down. I will remain in office until my successor is elected.

"There will be others cope with news just fine. But those who feel shocked and disappointed. This is really hard for me.

"This decision is not a reaction to short-term pressures. I have spent almost three decades in front-line politics. This decision comes from a deeper and longer term assesment. I have been wrestling with it for weeks.

"Is carrying on right for me? And secondly, is me carrying on right for the country I devoted my life to?

"I am a human being as well as a politician. Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job it the only way to do it. This country deserves nothing less."

Leading Scotland through Covid was "by far the toughest thing I've done", Ms Sturgeon said - adding that the "weight of responsibility was immense".

She spoke of the "physical and mental impact" the role has had on her, and referring to the "nature and scale" of Scotland's challenges, said there needs to be "energy" to political leadership.

Standing down is her duty at this "critical moment", she said, at a time when the "blocking" of a second referendum on Scottish independence is a "democratic outrage".

She added: "It takes it toll on you and others around you. Leading this country through the Covid pandemic is by far the toughest thing I have done. By no stretch of the imagination is my job the hardest during that time.

"Can I give this job everything it demands and deserves? The answer is honestly different."

Ms Sturgeon has confirmed that she will not be leaving politics and will continue with personal campaigns.

Listing her achievements while in office, she said: "Scotland is fairer today than it was in 2015. There is so much that I am proud of, but there is always so much more to be done."

Near the end of her speech, a teaful Ms Sturgeon thanked her husband and family - "my rock throughout" - and the SNP and people of Scotland.

"Please know that being your First Minister has been the privilege of my life," she said.

Ms Sturgeon has been Scotland's longest-serving First Minister since taking office in 2014, after Alex Salmond stepped down following the independence referendum.

That ballot saw 55 per cent of the electorate vote to remain in the United Kingdom, compared with the 45 per cent who wanted out.

The news comes a month before a SNP conference to decide how the party plans to push the case for independence forward, after the Supreme Court ruled Holyrood could not hold a unilateral referendum.

Earlier this morning we reported that BBC chief political correspondent Nick Eardley reported a source close to Ms Sturgeon saying: “She’s had enough.”

A recent poll conducted by the Sunday Times revealed more than four in 10 voters in Scotland thought First Minister Nicola Sturgeon should resign immediately, amid controversy over gender recognition reforms.

The Panelbase survey for the Sunday Times found that 42 per cent of respondents thought she should stand down now, while 45 per cent said she should remain as First Minister until at least the next Holyrood election, and 13 per cent didn’t know.