Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to step down as MSP at 2026 Holyrood election

Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to stand down as an MSP, she has announced.

The ex-SNP leader confirmed she would not seek re-election at the Holyrood election in May next year.

In a statement published on social media, she said making the decision had been “far from easy”.

She added: “However, I have known in my heart for a while that the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life, and to allow you to select a new standard bearer.”

Sturgeon resigned as first minister in March 2023 after eight years in the role.