Nicola Sturgeon statement: Nicola Sturgeon to face final First Minister’s Questions today following by final statement to parliament

She said: “In my head and in my heart, I know that time is now. That it’s right for me, for my party and my country.”

She has been carrying out her last few duties as First Minister this week and had an appearance on Loose Women on Monday, where she said the SNP had “mishandled” the membership number row but asked for “perspective”.

Ms Sturgeon later gave a speech to the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London.

She gave a formal apology in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday to those who had been affected by “cruel” historical adoption practices, where mothers were forced to give up their babies.

The 52-year-old will take part in her final FMQs, where she will face off against Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Afterwards she will give her final statement to parliament as Scotland’s First Minister and on Friday will carry out her last official engagement.

Her resignation triggered the SNP’s first leadership election campaign in nearly 20 years, since she became leader of the party in 2014 after the resignation of Alex Salmond.

The First Minister had said she would remain in office until her successor is chosen.

Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan are all in the running to be the next first minister with the ballot for SNP members set to close at noon on March 27, with the new leader being appointed the next day.

FMQ’s How to watch

You can watch FMQs on BBC Scotland and the on the Scottish Government website from midday.

You can also watch Nicola Sturgeon’s final statement to parliament on the Scottish Government website on Scottish Parliament TV.

The winner of the SNP leadership election will be announced on Monday.