A ebook of condolence for Alex Salmond has opened on the Scottish parliament for guests to go away messages that might be despatched to the previous first minister’s household.
Mr Salmond died from a suspected coronary heart assault on Saturday on the age of 69 throughout a visit to the lake resort of Ohrid in North Macedonia.
Mr Salmond, who beforehand led the SNP forward of founding the Alba Occasion, had earlier made a speech on the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Discussion board earlier than collapsing at lunch in a crowded room.
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A ebook of condolence has opened on the Scottish parliament. Pic: Scottish parliament
A ebook of condolence has been arrange at Holyrood within the parliament’s most important corridor, which is open to members of the general public from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm.
A spokesperson for the Scottish parliament stated the ebook might be despatched to Mr Salmond’s household.
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Tributes left exterior Holyrood following Mr Salmond’s loss of life. Pic: PA
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Pic: PA
Mr Salmond was a number one determine within the Scottish independence motion and used his time as first minister to safe the mandate for the 2014 referendum.
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Mr Salmond. Pic: AP
His last put up on X shortly earlier than his loss of life ended: “Scotland is a country not a county.”
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Mr Salmond talking shortly earlier than his loss of life on Saturday
In a letter to Alba Occasion members on Monday, appearing chief Kenny MacAskill paid tribute to his late pal as he vowed to proceed the marketing campaign to ship independence.
He stated: “A family has lost a husband, a brother and a much-loved uncle. I have lost one of my oldest and dearest friends.
“The social gathering grieves the lack of their founder and chief. Throughout Scotland individuals are mourning the lack of their former first minister.
“But the dream he cherished so closely and came so close to delivering will never die. We will honour him.”
Mr MacAskill added that the social gathering was supporting Mr Salmond’s household, together with his spouse, Moira.
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The flags exterior Holyrood had been flown at half-mast following Mr Salmond’s loss of life. Pic: PA
Efforts are additionally happening to deliver Mr Salmond’s physique dwelling to Scotland.
Conservative MP Sir David Davis has known as for the International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace (FCDO) to make use of RAF planes to repatriate Mr Salmond’s physique with “both dignity and expedition”.
It’s understood the FCDO is working with native Macedonian authorities, however given Mr Salmond was a non-public citizen on the time of his loss of life there are protocols across the eligibility for taxpayer-funded repatriation.
Salmond’s report ‘speaks for itself’
Beneath the management of the eager golfer and horse racing fan, the SNP rose to energy and have become a titan social gathering north of the border.
Some would argue if it weren’t for the political expertise of Mr Salmond, there would have been no Scottish independence referendum in any respect in 2014.
Mr MacAskill said: “His record speaks for itself in moulding the modern SNP, forming the first independence administration and delivering both an unprecedented Holyrood majority and a referendum on independence.”
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First Minister John Swinney chatting with Sky Information about Mr Salmond
First Minister John Swinney additionally agreed Mr Salmond “made a colossal contribution to Scottish politics”.
“And he also took Scotland incredibly close to becoming an independent country in the referendum in 2014.
“So, I believe it has been universally acknowledged, that politically, Alex Salmond had a huge effect on our public life inside Scotland and the UK, and I pay tribute to that this morning.”
