20 March 2023 , 13:43
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Nicola Sturgeon was left squirming after a difficult grilling from Janet Street Porter on Loose Women today.
The politician quit as Scotland's First Minister back in February, and at the time she told people she would be passing over the baton in the country's "final" push for independence. She appeared on the ITV lunchtime show today alongside the panel - Ruth Langsford, Coleen Nolan, Gloria Hunniford and Janet - to discuss her future plans now she has quit.
Janet quizzed Sturgeon on the Gender Recognition Bill, and if she had any regrets over it after it was blocked by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The bill was to make it easier for trans people to legally change gender as the legislation removes the requirement for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria in order to obtain a gender recognition certificate.
Nicola was grilled by the Loose Women stars including Janet Street Porter (ITV)Asked if she had any regrets, Sturgeon said: "I've been in politics for 30 years, I've been in government for 16 years. I'm used to dealing with difficult issues and having ups and downs and having times when you think nothing is going right.
"I regret the fact that we weren't able - and I take my share of the responsibility - to get that debate into a more rational space and I do regret that. I don't regret the legislation, which I think is right and many other countries have done it already."
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She added: "I think personally I've been in this position for such a period that I know I need to do something different. I can't give it everything it deserves for too much longer."
Back in February, Sturgeon told a press conference that she would remain in charge while a successor is found.
It was Sturgeon's first interview since stepping down (ITV)"I’ve believed that part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way for someone else," she said, "In my head and in my heart I know that time is now."
She insisted her decision wasn't based on "short term pressures" after a poll showed public support for her leadership was waning.
"I'm firmly of the view that there's majority support for independence, but that spirit needs to be solidified and it needs to grow further," she stated, "To achieve that we must cross the divide... My judgement is that a new leader would be best placed to do that."
She insisted she would continue to fight for Scottish independence, as she added at the time of her big announcement: "I believe my successor, whoever he or she may be, will lead Scotland to independence, and I'll be there cheering them on."
Ms Sturgeon has held the post since November 2014.