Alex Salmond Resigns as First Minister of Scotland After Independence Vote Fails

The bugger gave it his all.

At the Telegraph UK, "Alex Salmond resigns: Scotland will 'benefit from new leadership'":

Alex Salmond tells a press conference that he will be standing down as Scotland's First Minister and Scottish National Party leader.

After the referendum defeat, Alex Salmond said it was time for a new leader who could now take the devolution process forward.

Mr Salmond said he believed party, parliament and country would "benefit from new leadership".

"Therefore I have told the National Secretary of the SNP that I will not accept nomination to be a candidate for leader at the Annual Conference in Perth on November 13-15.

"After the membership ballot I will stand down as First Minister to allow the new leader to be elected by due Parliamentary process.

"Until then I will continue to serve as First Minister. After that I will continue to offer to serve as member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeenshire East.

More.