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The Telegraph
The Telegraph
National
Simon Johnson

Watch: Nicola Sturgeon admits 'fair share of mistakes' at fiery final session as First Minister

Nicola Sturgeon has admitted she made her "fair share of mistakes" after her record in office was savaged during her final First Minister's Questions before she steps down.

In a valedictory speech at Holyrood after more than eight years in office, Ms Sturgeon said there were things that she wished she had done “better or differently.”

Speaking on the third anniversary of her imposing lockdown in Scotland, she said "overall and overwhelmingly, I am proud of what has been achieved" and claimed her tenure would be defined by her leadership through the Covid pandemic.

During an emotional conclusion, in which she appeared on the verge of tears, she addressed the Scottish people, saying: "Words will never convey the gratitude and awe I hold in my heart for the opportunity I have had to serve as your First Minister. It truly has been the privilege of my lifetime."

Holyrood's opposition party leaders paid tribute to her staying power after 35 years in politics and agreed she provided a leadership role model for women and girls.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hugs Deputy First Minister John Swinney - RUSSELL CHEYNE
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hugs Deputy First Minister John Swinney - RUSSELL CHEYNE

However, they lambasted her record on the NHS, education and record drugs deaths, with Douglas Ross accusing her of breaking a pledge she made on her first day in office to govern for all Scots.

Referring to her repeated calls for another independence referendum, the Scottish Tory leader told MSPs: "For some, too often, she used her position to further her party's political objectives rather than bring the country together and govern in all of Scotland's interests."

In a fractious final First Minister's Questions, he listed numerous policy areas in which her government had fallen short and concluded she had “failed in every mission she set herself”.

He said that “shameless political spin” had been the hallmark of her tenure and that this had continued to the very end, with her husband Peter Murrell resigning as SNP chief executive over "lies" told to the press and public about the party's membership.

Mr Ross said the "house that Sturgeon, Salmond and Murrell built is collapsing", with the three candidates to replace her lashing out at each other during the SNP leadership contest and criticising her record.

Outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon leaves the main chamber after her last First Minster's Questions - Jane Barlow
Outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon leaves the main chamber after her last First Minster's Questions - Jane Barlow

Ms Sturgeon later dismissed such "hyperbolic" claims.

Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said her successor would "keenly" feel her absence and noted the SNP would "not find a replacement like her."

The winner of the SNP's leadership contest will be announced on Monday, with either health secretary Humza Yousaf, finance secretary Kate Forbes or outsider Ash Regan set to succeed Ms Sturgeon.

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