Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, announced that he will resign after failing to secure Scotland's independence from the UK. Salmond, who has been First Minister for seven years, will step down in November.
Salmond's resignation came only hours after 55% of Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom, a higher percentage than what polls were originally suggesting.
Via the Guardian:
Looking drained after a grueling night, Salmond said it was time to move on. "The last seven years as first minister of Scotland has been the privilege of my life but I think that's a reasonable spell of service, and I think that we have to understand and recognise when it is time to give someone else a chance to move that forward," Salmond said in his resignation statement delivered at the first minister's residence at Bute House, in Edinburgh.
Salmond said he believed the decision to be the most beneficial for Scotland as the country continues to be part of a united UK. He added that he wouldn't accept a nomination to be re-elected by the Scottish National Party at their annual conference in November.
The First Minister's likely successor will be his deputy minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
[Image via AP]
