REACTION: Nicola Sturgeon among Scottish politicians having their say on Theresa May’s departure date

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon thanked Theresa May for her service as the Prime Minister announced her resignation date, but said that her departure would not solve the Brexit mess.

Tweeting after Mrs May made the announcement that she’d step down on June 7, Ms Sturgeon wrote: “I wish Theresa May well. She and I had profound disagreements – not least on her handling of Brexit and her disregard for Scotland’s interests. However, leadership is tough – especially in these times – and she deserves thanks for her service.

“Her departure will not solve the Brexit mess that the Tories have created. Only putting the matter back to the people can do that. Given current circumstances, it also feels deeply wrong for another Tory to be installed in Number 10 without a General Election.

“The prospect of an even more hardline Brexiteer now becoming PM and threatening a no deal exit is deeply concerning. Added to the experience of the past three years, this makes it all the more important that Scotland is given the choice of becoming an independent country.”

Scottish Secretary David Mundell also released a statement, saying: “I am very sorry it has come to this. Nobody could have worked harder, or shown a greater sense of public duty, in delivering the result of the EU referendum than Theresa May

“She has my utmost respect for those endeavours, in the most challenging of circumstances, as well as her unswerving commitment to the Union.

“As Mrs May herself acknowledges, she has, however unfairly, become an impediment to the resolution of Brexit, and was no longer being given a hearing by Parliament.

“Yesterday’s elections will surely show that delivering Brexit is now more urgent than ever, and that will fall to a new Prime Minister. It’s time to get on with the process of appointing one.”

A number of other figures in Scottish politics have also had their say on social media as Mrs May’s tenure as PM draws to a close.

Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservatives leader

Richard Leonard, Scottish Labour leader

We don’t just need Theresa May out, we need the Tory government evicted from Downing Street.

Labour is ready to govern and we will transform our country so it works for the many, not the few.

— Richard Leonard (@LabourRichard) May 24, 2019

Stewart McDonald, SNP MP

I wish the Prime Minister no ill will – she’s not the worst PM, that falls to David Cameron – but that was quite a level of sophistry when she talked of compromise, which she has belligerently refused to do when considering Scotland’s needs. Let’s not rewrite history.

— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) May 24, 2019

Hannah Bardell, SNP MP

2/2 However, she’s a human being & I can’t even imagine what all this has been like on a personal level. The range of choices to replace her are pretty terrifying. May leaving isn’t going to make things any better. The U.K. is in one royal mess. Scotland, we need #Independence.

— Hannah Bardell ????????️‍? (@HannahB4LiviMP) May 24, 2019

Danielle Rowley, Labour MP

Our people and communities don’t need a new unelected Tory leader.
We don’t need more prolonged uncertainty.
We don’t need more broken promises.
We need a Labour Government that will deliver for the many.#GeneralElectionNow

— Danielle Rowley MP (@DaniRowley) May 24, 2019