FORMER SNP leader and longest-serving first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon MSP announced today that she will stand down at next year’s Holyrood elections.

Writing to SNP members in her Glasgow Southside constituency, she said that “the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life.”

Thanking supporters, she added: “I may be leaving Parliament, but I will be by your side every step of the way as we complete our journey to independence.”