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Former first minister of Scotland and titan of Scottish politics Alex Salmond has died - The Alba Party leader had given a speech at an event in North Macedonia on Saturday morning
- Reports in local media say that he became unwell while giving a lecture and died a short time later at his hotel
- Nicola Sturgeon leads tributes to ‘mentor’ despite breakdown in relationship
- Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute, calling him a ‘monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics’
- Twice leader of the SNP, Salmond took the party from the fringe to domination over Scottish politics
The former first minister of Scotland and titan of Scottish politics Alex Salmond has died.
The Scottish nationalist stalwart was giving a speech in North Macedonia this morning.
STV News understands he fell ill while at the event and died at his hotel shortly after. He is survived by his wife of more than four decades, Moira McGlashan.
The former leader of the SNP and Alba Party leader had been posting from his X, formerly Twitter, account in the early afternoon of Saturday.
“Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.
“As First Minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history, and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service.
“My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family, and his loved ones. On behalf of the UK government, I offer them our condolences today.”
Nicola Sturgeon, who replaced Salmond as first minister in 2014, said: “I am shocked and sorry to learn of Alex Salmond’s death.
“Obviously, I cannot pretend that the events of the past few years which led to the breakdown of our relationship did not happen, and it would not be right for me to try.
“However, it remains the fact that for many years Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life. He was my mentor, and for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics.
“Alex modernised the SNP and led us into government for the first time, becoming Scotland’s fourth First Minister and paving the way for the 2014 referendum which took Scotland to the brink of independence.
“He will be remembered for all of that. My thoughts are with Moira, his wider family and his friends.”
Getty ImagesFirst Minister of Scotland John Swinney said he was “deeply shocked and saddened at the untimely death” of the former first minister and extended his deepest condolences to Salmond’s family.
He said: “Over many years, Alex made an enormous contribution to political life – not just within Scotland, but across the UK and beyond.
“Alex worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved and for her Independence. He took the Scottish National Party from the fringes of Scottish politics into Government and led Scotland so close to becoming an Independent country.
“There will be much more opportunity to reflect in the coming days, but today all of our thoughts are with Alex’s family and his many friends right across the political spectrum.”
Former first minister Humza Yousaf also tweeted his condolences, saying: “Alex and I obviously had our differences in the last few years, but there’s no doubt about the enormous contribution he made to Scottish & UK politics. As well as helping to transform the SNP into the dominant political force it is today.”
Ian Blackford said: “He was a larger than life character, when he first became a member of parliament in 1987, the SNP had three MPs.
“But none the less, even as a young man he made his mark in Westminster, he famously disrupted the first budget that he sat through and gained notoriety.
Watch
‘He was a larger than life character’ Ian Blackford pays tribute to Alex Salmond
“But more importantly, he took the SNP from that marginal opposition, to firstly being the main party of opposition in Scotland and then the party of government.
“Going into government in 2007, but then breaking the system in many respects by becoming a majority government in Scotland in 2011 in the only time that has ever happened under devolution.
“And I think that success and being a majority government meant that Westminster had to recognise that it was right for the people of Scotland to have their say in the independence referendum.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Salmond was “a central figure in politics for over three decades”.
Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “It is impossible to overstate the impact Alex Salmond had on Scotland and on our politics.
“He served the country he loved as First Minister and will be dearly missed by many.
“My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace.”
Getty ImagesRussell Findlay, leader of Scottish Conservatives, said he “shocked and saddened” by the news of Salmond’s death.
“No matter our political beliefs we can all respect his dedication to public service as an MSP, MP and First Minister of Scotland,” he said.
“He will be remembered as a formidable and impressive politician who made a lasting impact on our country.”
Conservative leader Rishi Sunak posted on X: “Alex Salmond was a huge figure in our politics. While I disagreed with him on the constitutional question, there was no denying his skill in debate or his passion for politics. May he rest in peace.”
Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry said she was “devastated” to hear the news.
“He was one of the most talented politicians of his generation, and, by any measure, the finest First Minister our country has had,” she said.
“He changed the face of Scottish politics.”
Cherry said she was sorry that Salmond had not lived to see “vindication” against what she described as “ill use” by his former party.
“I shall remember him as an inspiration and a loyal friend,” she added, “My heartfelt condolences go to Moira, his family, and all who loved him.”
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said: “On behalf of the Scottish Parliament, on the sad news of the passing of Rt Hon Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014, my most sincere condolences to his wife Moira, his family and friends at this difficult time.
“Our thoughts are with you. Flags at the Parliament have been lowered as a mark of respect.”
Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern MSP and Alba leader at Holyrood, posted on X: “A tour de force in politics, who took us close to independence. Alex had the nation believe in itself. My thoughts to his family, friends and all those who he inspired to dream.”
Kenny MacAskill, Alba Party deputy leader, said that Alex Salmond “was the outstanding Scottish politician not just of his generation but for generations far before. Recognised at home and respected abroad”.
He added: “He was not just a master political tactician but strategist. Yet also a politician who was a superb debater and orator. But one who equally possessed extraordinary charm and a common touch which endeared him to so many in Scotland.
“The party grieves the loss of their founder and leader. Our thoughts are with Moira and his family.
“But the dream he cherished so closely and came so close to delivering will never die.”
Twice leader of the SNP, it was Salmond who took the Scottish National Party from the political and electoral fringe, to mainstream player and eventually to government.
Getty ImagesIn the process he led the Yes movement in the 2014 independence referendum, coming within ten percentage points of busting a three hundred year old Union.
Following the results, Salmond announced that he would resign as first minister.
His deputy Nicola Sturgeon succeeded him unopposed.
A month after submitting his resignation to Queen Elizabeth, Salmond announced he would run for office in Westminster. In the May 2015 election, he won the Gordon seat.
He lost it to the Conservatives two years later. In November of 2017, TV channel RT (formerly known as Russia Today) announced the former FM would host a programme called The Alex Salmond Show on the network.
He used the platform to criticise the SNP and his former deputy Nicola Sturgeon.
In August 2018, he resigned from the SNP in the face of sexual misconduct allegations while he was first minister.
In 2019, the Court of Session ruled the Scottish Government’s handling of complaints against Salmond had been “unlawful”. The Scottish Government paid out £512,250 in legal costs to the former first minister.
The following year, after a criminal trial, Salmond was cleared of sexually assaulting nine women.
In 2021, Holyrood held an inquiry into the Government’s unlawful investigation of Salmond. In winter last year, the former FM launched a new legal case against the Scottish Government over its botched probe.
In March 2021, Salmond announced he had set up and would lead the Alba Party, a new pro-independence party to contest the forthcoming 2021 Scottish Parliament election. The party won no seats but would go on to attract defectors from the SNP and have representation in both Westminster and Holyrood.
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