Nicola Sturgeon: ‘fractious’ leadership battle is good for the SNP

In final speech as leader, Scottish first minister says contest ‘is an unusual process for the SNP but it’s essential and it’s healthy’

Nicola Sturgeon has claimed the crisis surrounding the Scottish National party’s “fractious” leadership battle is a necessary part of its renewal, in her final speech as party leader.

Speaking at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London, Sturgeon said the leadership contest sparked by her decision to resign was “proving to be a challenging and difficult process”, but denied it would cause longer-term damage to the SNP’s fortunes.