Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon quits over gender row

A three-time Grand Slam winner has hinted he is considering entering politics after the surprise resignation of Scotland’s leader.

Scotland's First Minister, and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh where she announced she will stand down as First Minister, in Edinburgh on February 15, 2023. Picture: Jane Barlow / AFP.

Andy Murray is thinking about a career after tennis but it might take quick footwork if he is to grab a job opening.

After the surprise resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as Scottish First Minister, Murray was quick to test the water.

“Interesting vacancy. Was looking to get into politics when I finish playing,” tweeted the Scottish former Wimbledon champion as he shared a BBC article, adding a winking emoji.

Ms Sturgeon was quick to respond.

“I know I said I wouldn’t endorse anyone as my successor, but …” she tweeted, matching Murray’s winking emoji and adding a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing emoji.

Interesting vacancy. Was looking to get into politics when I finish playing 🎾😉 https://t.co/VmjpF0sE7T

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) February 15, 2023

Murray, former world number one and three-time Grand Slam winner, considered retirement in 2019 as he battled hip injuries that have hampered him since 2017.

However, the 35-year-old is still on the tour and is currently ranked at 70 in the world.

Sturgeon announced her resignation after eight years in office on Wednesday local time.

Andy Murray for Scottish leader? Picture: Getty Images

The 52-year-old is following Jacinda Ardern out the door, after coming under pressure from a fierce row over transgender rights, and as Scotland’s push to independence appears to stall.

Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Wednesday local time, the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said she will remain in the role until a new SNP leader is appointed.

Ms Sturgeon told reporters that it was clear the “time is now” for her to stand down, adding that it is “right for me, for my party and for the country.”

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has stepped down. Picture: AFP

“First, though I know it will be tempting to see it as such, this decision is not a reaction to short-term pressures,” she said.

“This decision comes from a deeper and longer term assessment.”

Ms Sturgeon said she could no longer give her full energy to a job which requires “giving absolutely everything of yourself”.

“It might seem sudden, but I have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity, for some weeks,” she said.

“These jobs are a privilege, but they are also really hard and especially in the case of First Minister, relentlessly so.

“To be clear, I’m not expecting violins here. But I am a human being as well as a politician.”

Just weeks ago, Ms Sturgeon said she still had “plenty in the tank” following the surprise resignation of New Zealand’s prime minister.

GENDER ROW

It came as her critics called on whoever takes over from her to ditch the controversial gender laws she had pushed, and finally give up on another divisive independence battle, reports the Sun.

She had recently faced a barrage of attacks after transgender double rapist Isla Bryson was almost transferred to a Scottish women’s prison.

Nicola Sturgeon has been under fire. Picture: Getty Images

Bryson, previously known as Adam Graham, switched gender after appearing in the dock for raping two mums.

Feminists hit out at Ms Sturgeon for putting militant gender ideology above the health and safety of women.

In the face of huge pressure the First Minister backed down and Bryson was kept in a male facility.

Transgender issues have been in the spotlight in Scotland after legislation was passed to make it easier for people to self-identify their gender. Picture: AFP

Major backlash to Ms Sturgeon also erupted after she championed the controversial Scottish gender reform bill – setting up a huge clash with Westminster.

Her new law means anyone aged 16 or over in Scotland can change the sex on their birth certificate needed after a six-month process – simply by signing a legal declaration.

Campaigners, including Harry Potter author JK Rowling, argue the reforms would endanger vulnerable women seeking shelter and protection in single-sex spaces.

But in a move unprecedented since Scotland won back self-government in 1999, the law was blocked by the UK government in London, and Ms Sturgeon’s handling of the affair drew internal SNP criticism, and British PM Rishi Sunak vowed to block it from ever passing into law.

Nicola Sturgeon waves from a window, after holding a press conference to announce her resignation. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

‘FORMIDABLE POLITICIAN’

It marks the unexpected departure of one of Britain’s most formidable politicians. But like Ms Ardern, Ms Sturgeon said she felt unable to give “every ounce of energy that it needs” to see out the high-pressure job, and it was her “duty” to make way for a new SNP leader.

Acknowledging the strains of office after more than eight years as leader, and the same period as deputy first minister before that, she said: “I am a human being as well as a politician.”

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her decision to resign “comes from a deeper and longer term assessment”. Picture: Jane Barlow / AFP.

But growing discontent finally ended her political career. Aside from the transgender controversy, the party’s raison d’etre – Scottish independence – has been hitting the buffers despite her attempts to up the ante, after the UK government rejected its demands for a new referendum.

Criticism has mounted over Ms Sturgeon’s intention to turn the next UK general election into a vote to leave, leaving voters with a stark choice that some in the party fear could rebound on the SNP.

My thanks go to @NicolaSturgeon for her long-standing service. I wish her all the best for her next steps.

We will continue to work closely with the @scotgov on our joint efforts to deliver for people across Scotland.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 15, 2023

But she remains relatively popular in opinion polls and has been a towering presence with a reputation for assured leadership since becoming first minister in 2014.

“Individual polls come and go, but I am firmly of the view that there is now majority support for independence in Scotland,” Ms Sturgeon said at the press conference announcing her resignation.

“But that support needs to be solidified and it needs to grow further if our independent Scotland is to have the best possible foundation.”

The First Minister added that “no one individual should be dominant in any system for too long”.

“Please know that being your First Minister has been the privilege of my life. Nothing, absolutely nothing, I do in future ever come anywhere close.”

– with AFP