Nicola Sturgeon's final statement comes to a close
That brings to a close our live coverage of an historic and somewhat fiery FMQs and the first minister's farewell statment, which was emotional too, but in a more collegiate fashion.
Party leaders took rather contrasting approaches to waving
farewell to Nicola Sturgeon.
Douglas Ross did try, quite briefly, to be nice. But given
the total lack of any personal warmth between the pair, even his jokes ended
with rather sharp punchlines about her not answering his questions.
Anas Sarwar clearly has a far better relationship with the
outgoing first minister, and made a much better fist of being magnanimous.
But given how comprehensively the SNP has routed Labour
under her leadership, he too will be glad to see her heading for the exit door.
Ms Sturgeon’s own valedictory address was entirely different
- heavy on thanks to friends and colleagues, with only a side-order of
legacy-burnishing.
The other parties are looking to the future in the hope of
opportunities in the post-Sturgeon era.
But she is looking ahead in a completely different fashion –
to a life beyond the Holyrood chamber.
It's been privilege to be first minister, says Sturgeon
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
In her closing remarks, Ms Sturgeon says she has achieved more than a "shy, introverted, working-class girl from Ayrshire" could ever have dreamed of.
The first minister says Scotland and its people are "amazing" and are held in high regard across the world. She suggests Scots need to "believe a bit more in ourselves".
"Even if I live to be 100 years old, no phase of my life will be as special or as meaningful to me as these last eight years have been," she says reflecting on her time as first minister.
She thanks the people of Scotland "for the privilege of being your first minister".
Youngest MSP hails Sturgeon as an inspiration
Emma Roddick, speaking on behalf of the SNP, says she was 17 when Ms Sturgeon became first minister.
Holyrood's youngest MSP says the outgoing first minister will serve Scotland well as an ambassador "when her successors deliver independence".
Ms Roddick praises Ms Sturgeon for standing up to misogyny, advancing gender equality and leading the country through the pandemic.
She says the SNP leader inspired young girls and will "continue to inspire no matter what she does next".
In response, the first minister says she is proud of Ms Roddick after giving her encouragement earlier in her career.
'Sturgeon was a voice of calm during pandemic'
Alex Cole-Hamilton tells the chamber Nicola Sturgeon has provided inspiration to the women and girls that will doubtless follow her to the highest office in the land.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader praises the "tireless and substantial comittment to the office she has held longer than anybody else".
He points out Nicola Sturgeon offered a "voice of calm" to the people during the pandemic.
Mr Cole-Hamilton says he won't forget the kind words from the FM when his daughter was in hospital.
He thanks both Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney and wishes them well on whatever they do next.
'Sturgeon has been ally to LGBT people'
Patrick Harvie says his first memory of meeting Ms Sturgeon was in the first year of the Scottish Parliament, when she argued in favour of equality in defence of gay people.
The Scottish Greens co-leader says she has continued in that vein in being an "ally" to trans people.
He praises Ms Sturgeon for inviting the Greens into government and her leadership during the pandemic.
Mr Harvie says he hopes Ms Sturgeon continues to "find a way to infuriate all the right people" after stepping down as first minister.
'Nicola Sturgeon is an able and formidable politician'
Anas Sarwar places on the record his respect and recognition for Nicola Sturgeon's more than 20 years of public service.
The Scottish Labour leader says "Nicola Sturgeon is an able and formidable politician" and adds he has not for a moment doubted her love for Scotland.
He also jokes that maybe Ms Sturgeon has worn traditional Asian dress more times than he has.
Mr Sarwar agrees that the pandemic will define her time as first minister.
'We have all lived through the Sturgeon era'
Douglas Ross says he and Ms Sturgeon have been "adversaries rather than allies" and that she has "for better or worse made a mark on the country".
"We have all lived through the Sturgeon era of politics," he adds.
The Scottish Tory leader jokes that he is yet to receive £100 from the first minister for a bet about whether she would quit before the next Holyrood election.
He says he has asked 256 questions and "once or twice" got an answer at first minister's questions.
Mr Ross recognises Ms Sturgeon's dedication to the job and hopes she will now find more time for her family, friends and her "passion", reading.
He says he wishes her well for the future.
Sturgeon thanks the people of Scotland
An emotional first minister concludes saying to her successor: "Never forget every day in this office is an opportunity to make something better for someone somewhere in Scotland"
It isbetter to aim high and fall short, than to not try at all, she says.
Finally she thanks the people of Scotland for placing their trust in her.
"It truly has been the privilege of a lifetime and with these words I draw it to a close."
The statement is met with rapturous applause.
Sturgeon gives gratitude to John Swinney and ministers
The first minister thanks her family for the love and support they have shown.
Ms Sturgeon also thanks the SNP and she calls on them to continue serving as a team.
She offers her gratitude to all the staff and her ministers, especially her deputy John Swinney, who sits with his head bowed in the chamber as he listens to her statement.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
'When women lift, girls rise'
The first minister says she has made her fair share of mistakes but "overall and overwhelmingly I am proud of what has been achieved".
Nicola Sturgeon says her cabinet has always been gender balanced as she lists many policies her government introduced.
She says: "When women lift, girls rise."
'I know in my heart that this is the right time'
"In the toughest of times our country showed the best of itself," continues Ms Sturgeon, adding "with love, care and solidarity".
"And that will live with me forever."
The first minister says every single day as first minister has been an "utter privilege".
She says: "I know in my heart that this is the right time."
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
'My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones to Covid'
Ms Sturgeon reflects that exactly three years ago she stood at a podium in St Andrew's House and she asked the people of Scotland to stay home.
"My thoughts today, and always, are with those who lost loved ones to Covid, with those who live still with Long Covid.
"With our young people who lost out on so many of the normal experiences of growing up and with everyone who endured the trauma of separation and loneliness. "
She says Covid changed her and in many ways defined her time as first minister.
'Being first minister of the country I love has been a profound honour'
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Nicola Sturgeon thanks the presiding officer for her kind words and says this is the final statement she will make as FM in the Holyrood chamber.
She says no matter what she does in the future, "nothing will come close to the experience of the past 3,046 days".
The first minister tells the chamber: "Being first minister of the country I love has been a profound honour."
First minister's personal statement now...
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone says: "On behalf of the parliament I thank the first minister for her service."
She also thanks the deputy first minister, John Swinney for his service.
Almost every FMQs this year has been interrupted by a
climate protest in the chamber. But it was particularly fitting in a way today, as MSPs ponder Nicola
Sturgeon’s record.
Her latter years as first minister featured a hard pivot
towards environmental issues – the first minister who once backed maximum
economic extraction from the North Sea declared a climate emergency, then took
centre stage at the COP26 conference.
Ambitious targets have been set to reach net-zero carbon
emissions by 2045 - but the delivery in hitting those goals often falls short.
The climate watchdog has warned that Scotland has lost its
lead over other parts of the UK on cutting emissions.
And with a flagship recycling scheme mired in difficulty and
questions over whether the Greens will remain in government under her
successor, this is another area where Ms Sturgeon’s legacy is still up in the
air.
Parliament is suspended briefly after shouts from protester
The shouts of an oil and gas protester from the public gallery interupt proceedings again this week, following a number of similar incidents at recent FMQs.
The parliament quickly gets under way again.
SNP has 'failed Scotland' on mental health - Lib Dems
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Alex Cole-Hamilton says that the Scottish government's mental health targets have never been met once in over 3,000 days.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the first minister downgraded the office of mental health minister and slashed £50m from the mental health budget this winter.
"Will the first minister admit her government has failed Scotland on mental health?"
"There is much, much more work to do mental health," replies the first minister.
Ms Sturgeon says her government has reduced the stigma of mental health and argues there has been a significant increase in cash for mental health under the SNP.
She says the number of people getting treated by CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) is at a record level.
This was in part a session about looking back at Nicola
Sturgeon’s reign – but it was also one looking ahead to what her legacy means
for her successor.
Like Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar listed off a range of sectors
facing problems, from the NHS to education and the economy.
His point was that these are now all issues stacking up in
the in-tray of the next first minister.
Mr Sarwar also made an explicit call for a snap Scottish
election, something Ms Sturgeon neatly swerved.
But she does still have one eye on future contests, despite
her impending departure.
For months, she has been workshopping attack lines which use
the constitution to link Labour to the Conservatives, with a view to the next
general election being characterised by those parties struggling for control of
Downing Street.
She may be gone by the time that campaign rolls around, but
she is still keeping that electoral strategy warm for her successor.
Sarwar calls for 'immediate' election
Mr Sarwar says Scotland faces two crises - an NHS recovery "that never began" and the cost of living crisis.
He accuses the SNP leadership contenders of failing to have a "plan for Scotland" or a mandate from the previous election.
The Labour leader calls for an immediate election.
The first minister says she has won the last three elections against Labour and is proud of her government's achievements, citing record high employment, low unemployment and low economic inactivity.
Ms Sturgeon says she has "every confidence" in her successor.
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
Analysis
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Analysis
Latest PostNicola Sturgeon's final statement comes to a close
That brings to a close our live coverage of an historic and somewhat fiery FMQs and the first minister's farewell statment, which was emotional too, but in a more collegiate fashion.
Thanks very much for joining us.
Analysis
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
Party leaders took rather contrasting approaches to waving farewell to Nicola Sturgeon.
Douglas Ross did try, quite briefly, to be nice. But given the total lack of any personal warmth between the pair, even his jokes ended with rather sharp punchlines about her not answering his questions.
Anas Sarwar clearly has a far better relationship with the outgoing first minister, and made a much better fist of being magnanimous.
But given how comprehensively the SNP has routed Labour under her leadership, he too will be glad to see her heading for the exit door.
Ms Sturgeon’s own valedictory address was entirely different - heavy on thanks to friends and colleagues, with only a side-order of legacy-burnishing.
The other parties are looking to the future in the hope of opportunities in the post-Sturgeon era.
But she is looking ahead in a completely different fashion – to a life beyond the Holyrood chamber.
It's been privilege to be first minister, says Sturgeon
In her closing remarks, Ms Sturgeon says she has achieved more than a "shy, introverted, working-class girl from Ayrshire" could ever have dreamed of.
The first minister says Scotland and its people are "amazing" and are held in high regard across the world. She suggests Scots need to "believe a bit more in ourselves".
"Even if I live to be 100 years old, no phase of my life will be as special or as meaningful to me as these last eight years have been," she says reflecting on her time as first minister.
She thanks the people of Scotland "for the privilege of being your first minister".
Youngest MSP hails Sturgeon as an inspiration
Emma Roddick, speaking on behalf of the SNP, says she was 17 when Ms Sturgeon became first minister.
Holyrood's youngest MSP says the outgoing first minister will serve Scotland well as an ambassador "when her successors deliver independence".
Ms Roddick praises Ms Sturgeon for standing up to misogyny, advancing gender equality and leading the country through the pandemic.
She says the SNP leader inspired young girls and will "continue to inspire no matter what she does next".
In response, the first minister says she is proud of Ms Roddick after giving her encouragement earlier in her career.
'Sturgeon was a voice of calm during pandemic'
Alex Cole-Hamilton tells the chamber Nicola Sturgeon has provided inspiration to the women and girls that will doubtless follow her to the highest office in the land.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader praises the "tireless and substantial comittment to the office she has held longer than anybody else".
He points out Nicola Sturgeon offered a "voice of calm" to the people during the pandemic.
Mr Cole-Hamilton says he won't forget the kind words from the FM when his daughter was in hospital.
He thanks both Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney and wishes them well on whatever they do next.
'Sturgeon has been ally to LGBT people'
Patrick Harvie says his first memory of meeting Ms Sturgeon was in the first year of the Scottish Parliament, when she argued in favour of equality in defence of gay people.
The Scottish Greens co-leader says she has continued in that vein in being an "ally" to trans people.
He praises Ms Sturgeon for inviting the Greens into government and her leadership during the pandemic.
Mr Harvie says he hopes Ms Sturgeon continues to "find a way to infuriate all the right people" after stepping down as first minister.
'Nicola Sturgeon is an able and formidable politician'
Anas Sarwar places on the record his respect and recognition for Nicola Sturgeon's more than 20 years of public service.
The Scottish Labour leader says "Nicola Sturgeon is an able and formidable politician" and adds he has not for a moment doubted her love for Scotland.
He also jokes that maybe Ms Sturgeon has worn traditional Asian dress more times than he has.
Mr Sarwar agrees that the pandemic will define her time as first minister.
'We have all lived through the Sturgeon era'
Douglas Ross says he and Ms Sturgeon have been "adversaries rather than allies" and that she has "for better or worse made a mark on the country".
"We have all lived through the Sturgeon era of politics," he adds.
The Scottish Tory leader jokes that he is yet to receive £100 from the first minister for a bet about whether she would quit before the next Holyrood election.
He says he has asked 256 questions and "once or twice" got an answer at first minister's questions.
Mr Ross recognises Ms Sturgeon's dedication to the job and hopes she will now find more time for her family, friends and her "passion", reading.
He says he wishes her well for the future.
Sturgeon thanks the people of Scotland
An emotional first minister concludes saying to her successor: "Never forget every day in this office is an opportunity to make something better for someone somewhere in Scotland"
It isbetter to aim high and fall short, than to not try at all, she says.
Finally she thanks the people of Scotland for placing their trust in her.
"It truly has been the privilege of a lifetime and with these words I draw it to a close."
The statement is met with rapturous applause.
Sturgeon gives gratitude to John Swinney and ministers
The first minister thanks her family for the love and support they have shown.
Ms Sturgeon also thanks the SNP and she calls on them to continue serving as a team.
She offers her gratitude to all the staff and her ministers, especially her deputy John Swinney, who sits with his head bowed in the chamber as he listens to her statement.
'When women lift, girls rise'
The first minister says she has made her fair share of mistakes but "overall and overwhelmingly I am proud of what has been achieved".
Nicola Sturgeon says her cabinet has always been gender balanced as she lists many policies her government introduced.
She says: "When women lift, girls rise."
'I know in my heart that this is the right time'
"In the toughest of times our country showed the best of itself," continues Ms Sturgeon, adding "with love, care and solidarity".
"And that will live with me forever."
The first minister says every single day as first minister has been an "utter privilege".
She says: "I know in my heart that this is the right time."
'My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones to Covid'
Ms Sturgeon reflects that exactly three years ago she stood at a podium in St Andrew's House and she asked the people of Scotland to stay home.
"My thoughts today, and always, are with those who lost loved ones to Covid, with those who live still with Long Covid.
"With our young people who lost out on so many of the normal experiences of growing up and with everyone who endured the trauma of separation and loneliness. "
She says Covid changed her and in many ways defined her time as first minister.
'Being first minister of the country I love has been a profound honour'
Nicola Sturgeon thanks the presiding officer for her kind words and says this is the final statement she will make as FM in the Holyrood chamber.
She says no matter what she does in the future, "nothing will come close to the experience of the past 3,046 days".
The first minister tells the chamber: "Being first minister of the country I love has been a profound honour."
First minister's personal statement now...
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone says: "On behalf of the parliament I thank the first minister for her service."
She also thanks the deputy first minister, John Swinney for his service.
They have both been in government since 2007.
Analysis
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
Almost every FMQs this year has been interrupted by a climate protest in the chamber. But it was particularly fitting in a way today, as MSPs ponder Nicola Sturgeon’s record.
Her latter years as first minister featured a hard pivot towards environmental issues – the first minister who once backed maximum economic extraction from the North Sea declared a climate emergency, then took centre stage at the COP26 conference.
Ambitious targets have been set to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 - but the delivery in hitting those goals often falls short.
The climate watchdog has warned that Scotland has lost its lead over other parts of the UK on cutting emissions.
And with a flagship recycling scheme mired in difficulty and questions over whether the Greens will remain in government under her successor, this is another area where Ms Sturgeon’s legacy is still up in the air.
Parliament is suspended briefly after shouts from protester
The shouts of an oil and gas protester from the public gallery interupt proceedings again this week, following a number of similar incidents at recent FMQs.
The parliament quickly gets under way again.
SNP has 'failed Scotland' on mental health - Lib Dems
Alex Cole-Hamilton says that the Scottish government's mental health targets have never been met once in over 3,000 days.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the first minister downgraded the office of mental health minister and slashed £50m from the mental health budget this winter.
"Will the first minister admit her government has failed Scotland on mental health?"
"There is much, much more work to do mental health," replies the first minister.
Ms Sturgeon says her government has reduced the stigma of mental health and argues there has been a significant increase in cash for mental health under the SNP.
She says the number of people getting treated by CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) is at a record level.
Analysis
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
This was in part a session about looking back at Nicola Sturgeon’s reign – but it was also one looking ahead to what her legacy means for her successor.
Like Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar listed off a range of sectors facing problems, from the NHS to education and the economy.
His point was that these are now all issues stacking up in the in-tray of the next first minister.
Mr Sarwar also made an explicit call for a snap Scottish election, something Ms Sturgeon neatly swerved.
But she does still have one eye on future contests, despite her impending departure.
For months, she has been workshopping attack lines which use the constitution to link Labour to the Conservatives, with a view to the next general election being characterised by those parties struggling for control of Downing Street.
She may be gone by the time that campaign rolls around, but she is still keeping that electoral strategy warm for her successor.
Sarwar calls for 'immediate' election
Mr Sarwar says Scotland faces two crises - an NHS recovery "that never began" and the cost of living crisis.
He accuses the SNP leadership contenders of failing to have a "plan for Scotland" or a mandate from the previous election.
The Labour leader calls for an immediate election.
The first minister says she has won the last three elections against Labour and is proud of her government's achievements, citing record high employment, low unemployment and low economic inactivity.
Ms Sturgeon says she has "every confidence" in her successor.