and tributes for the hollywood film starand model, raquel welch, who s died at the age of 82. hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. the search has begun for the next leader of the scottish national party and first minister of scotland following nicola sturgeon s surprise decision to stand down on wednesday afterjust over eight years in power. the snp s national executive committee will meet on thursday to draw up a timetable for a leadership race. nominations have already opened. the party s constitution says a candidate for leader needs to have the backing of 100 members from at least 20 different snp branches. if there s more than one candidate a vote of party members will choose the new leader. ms sturgeon plans to remain in office until her successor is elected and continue on as an msp until at least the next holyrood election. with more on wednesday s events, here s alexandra mackenzie. scotland s first female and longest serving f
is the final phase of thatjourney. alexandra mckenzie, bbc news. 0ur scotland correspondent james shawjoins me now. in the building behind you, what has been their reaction, has the mood settled a bit because this seems to genuinely come out of the blue fur many scottish mps? it is genuinely come out of the blue fur many scottish mps? genuinely come out of the blue fur many scottish mps? it is a strange moment, holyrood many scottish mps? it is a strange moment, holyrood is many scottish mps? it is a strange moment, holyrood is in many scottish mps? it is a strange moment, holyrood is in recess i many scottish mps? it is a strange moment, holyrood is in recess atl many scottish mps? it is a strange i moment, holyrood is in recess at the moment, holyrood is in recess at the moment but he could be absolutely sure that there is a huge amount of activity going on behind the scenes. the national executive committee of the snp meets this evening to figure out a timetable as to how to