Nicola Sturgeon faces FMQs after SNP leadership candidates face off in race to become First Minister

Nicola Sturgeon is to face opponents in Holyrood after the candidates vying to succeed her faced off at the first hustings on Wednesday night.

The outgoing FM will be quizzed by Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

It comes as schools across the country return after two days of strikes amid the pay dispute between educators, the Scottish Government and councils.

UPDATE: Douglas Ross was heard sighing and saying “f***’s sake” as Holyrood’s presiding officer suspended proceedings after shouts from a climate protester.

A further three days of targeted strike action will take place in the constituencies of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, deputy first minister John Swinney, education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scottish Green education spokesman Ross Greer and Katie Hagmann, the resources spokeswoman for local authority body COSLA.

Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf spoke to a select audience at the Cumbernauld Theatre in the first hustings event of the race to become First Minister on Wednesday night.

The disagreed on how to proceed with the Scottish Government’s gender reform bill and took questions on the independence campaign and who they consider to be their best friend in politics.

A new leader will be chosen by SNP members on March 27.

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