This is the Guardian.

Today, Nicholas Sturgeon has resigned as First Minister of Scotland. Why?

We first were unclear as to why she called the press conference. We got the invitation to the event, maybe an hour and a half, two hours before it was due to take place.

I have to say I'd assume that it was a press conference to talk about the teacher's strike. This possibility, this was something really big, became much clearer when the BBC broke the story that she was in fact going to be announcing a resignation, which came as a huge shock.

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming along. I'm sorry to break into your half-term break.

Nicholas Sturgeon arrived at the podium in what's a fairly characteristic red suit. She derived down the stairs of her official residents in Edinburgh's Georgian new town at a place called Bute House, which is a pretty beautiful and very well-maintained Georgian townhouse.

At a podium where we've often had press conferences, actually the room that she's chosen was a press conference where, in fact, Alex Salman had announced his resignation in September 2014.

Since my very first moments in the job, I have believed that part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way for someone else.

And when that time came to have the courage to do so, even if to many across the country and in my party, it might feel too soon.

In my head and in my heart, I know that time is no.

Since she joined the Scottish National Party at the age of 16, Nicholas Sturgeon has only known a life in politics.

She rose rapidly through the ranks of the party to become the longest serving First Minister of Scotland and the first woman to hold the position.

I know it might seem sudden, but I have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity for some weeks.

Essentially, I've been trying to answer two questions. It's carrying on right for me, and more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, for my party, and for the independence cause I have devoted my life to.

Sturgeon took on the role in 2014, after her party failed to convince the majority of Scottish people to vote yes in the independence referendum.

She's dedicated herself to trying to convince them that Scotland will be better outside the union.

Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it. The country does have nothing less, but in truth, that can only be done by anyone for so long.

For me, it is now in danger of becoming too long.

First Minister is never off duty, particularly in this day and age, there is virtually no privacy. Even ordinary stuff that most people take for granted, like going for a coffee with friends or for a walk in your own becomes very difficult.

And the nature and form of modern political discourse means that there is a much greater intensity.

The day I see it brutality to life as a politician than in years gone by. All in all, and actually for a long time without being a parent, it takes its toll on you and on those around you.

From the Guardian, I'm Hannah Moore. Today in focus, Scotland's future without Nicholas Sturgeon.

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