Nicola Sturgeon tells Loose Women she will step down if Scotland votes 'no' on independence again

The SNP leader is committed to another referendum

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will step down if Scotland votes 'no' in a second independence referendum, she told ITV show Loose Women.

Panellist Carol McGiffin asked Sturgeon if she would leave the post if voters back the Union in a fresh ballot on the constitution. 

Sturgeon said: "I think when Scotland next votes on independence, it will vote 'yes'."

However, on the prospect of a 'no' vote being returned, she said: "I suspect I would make way for somebody else.

"But I'm not contemplating that at the moment. I'm in the fortunate position of having been in politics for a long time, I'm not about to give it up. But when I do, I hopefully will still be relatively young and therefore I do look forward to the possibility of doing other things later in life.”

Sturgeon has committed to bringing another referendum by 2023 and told the programme that is a question of "when" rather than "if".

Commenting on the televised remarks, Scotland in Union chief executive Pamela Nash said "the majority of people of Scotland do not want another divisive referendum next year or any time soon". She added: "If Nicola Sturgeon thinks failure to deliver a key policy is a reason to stand down, she should reflect on her failure to deliver her promise to prioritise education, her failure to meet hospital waiting times, and her failure to cut drug deaths.”