Nicola Sturgeon has blamed outgoing President Donald Trump for "inciting insurrection" in his own country following a riot which saw protesters storm the US capitol building. 

Speaking this morning, the First Minister said that the scenes in Washington - where Trump supporters attempted to prevent the formal approval of incoming President Joe Biden's election win - were shocking, but not surprising.   

Four people died during the violence - one woman protestor was shot, apparently by police, while three others suffered "medical emergencies". 

Speaking on STV this morning, Ms Sturgeon said:  "On one level, what we witnessed last night is not that surprising. In some sense Donald Trump's presidency has been moving towards this moment almost from the moment it started.

"But that doesn't make it any less shocking. What we witnessed weren't just scenes of horrible breachs of law and order.

"We actually witnessed the President of the United States inciting insurrection in his own country and I think for many people it will take some time to get our heads round that."

The Herald:

Nicola Sturgeon has warned of a "dark time" in America

The First Minister added: “Thankfully there’s only a matter of days of his presidency left.  We heard Joe Biden last night remind us what a real leader, a real democratic leader, should sound like.

“This has been a dark period in America’s history, there’s no doubt about it, and I would imagine many people in that country and across the world are looking forward to it coming to an end but clearly there are deep-seeded divides there that the new administration has to tackle and try to heal.”

Last night, the Ms Sturgeon described the scenes in the US capital as “utterly horrifying” and said that she stands in “solidarity with those on the side of democracy". 

The First Minister called for the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power, saying: "Shame on those who have incited this attack on democracy.”

READ MORE: Watch the moment Trump supporters stormed US Capitol

In chaotic scenes, supporters of President Donald Trump breached barricades and staged an occupation of the building in Washington DC on Wednesday.

Protesters clashed with police, tear gas was dispersed and the vastly outnumbered officers stood aside as demonstrators forced their way inside.

The violence followed a rally was near the White House where Mr Trump encouraged the demonstrators to march on Capitol Hill.

Boris Johnson labelled the scenes as “disgraceful”.

He tweeted: “The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”

His comments followed condemnation from a host of British politicians from all parties who described the scenes in Washington as “profoundly shocking” and “utterly horrifying”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called them “horrendous”, tweeting: “These are not ‘protesters’ – this a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: “The US rightly takes great pride in its democracy, and there can be no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power.”

Meanwhile, the Twitter account of Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, asked that people “pray for the USA” and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted that “the outcome of this democratic election must be respected”.

Mr Trump previously urged his supporters to travel to Washington to protest against Congress’ approval of Mr Biden’s November presidential election victory.

As protesters attacked the Capitol, both chambers of Congress were forced into recess as they debated the Electoral College vote that handed Mr Biden the presidency.

Mr Trump initially tweeted to ask his supporters to “remain peaceful” before posting a video asking protesters to “go home”.

READ MORE: Violent scenes engulf US Capitol as Trump supporters riot​

But he also used the video to claim that the election was “fraudulent” and that he feels supporters’ “pain”.

Twitter removed the retweet, like and reply functions on the video post “due to a risk of violence”, before locking his account and demanding the removal of the clip and two other posts.

Politicians were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was released in the Capitol’s Rotunda amid skirmishes.

Senators were evacuated, with other politicians tweeting that they were taking shelter in their offices.

Law enforcement officials later said an explosive device found near the building was “no longer a threat”.

Following the deployment of heavily armed police, the Capitol complex was later declared “secure”.

Washington DC police chief Robert Contee, calling the violence “a riot”, said at least five weapons were recovered and at least 13 people arrested over the protests.

A 6pm curfew was also declared.