Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has died aged 69.
Mr Salmond, who led the Scottish Nationwide Get together between 1990 and 2000 after which once more between 2004 and 2014, was a distinguished determine within the nation’s nationalist motion.
The second time round he used his mandate as first minister to carry a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.
The “Yes Scotland” marketing campaign was defeated and he resigned consequently.
On the time of his loss of life, he had been the chief of the nationalist Alba Get together since 2021.
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Alex Salmond on the Ohrid Cultural Diplomacy Discussion board. Pic: Gjorge Ivanov / Fb
He died on Saturday afternoon on the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Discussion board within the North Macedonia resort city of Ohrid, Chris McEleny, the get together’s normal secretary, confirmed.
A Fb submit by the organisers confirmed Mr Salmond on the political discussion board the day earlier than he died.
“Unfortunately, Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland who was one of the panellists at yesterday’s cultural diplomacy forum that was held in Ohrid, died suddenly today,” mentioned a press release from the workplace of former North Macedonia President Gjorgje Ivanov.
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The Ohrid Cultural Diplomacy Discussion board. Pic: Gjorge Ivanov / Fb
“We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in North Macedonia and are in touch with the local authorities,” confirmed a Overseas Workplace spokesperson.
King Charles ‘significantly saddened’
“My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond,” mentioned the King in a message issued by Buckingham Palace.
“His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service.
“We prolong our deep condolences to his household and family members right now.”
Salmond ‘fought fearlessly for the country that he loved’
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said: “Over a few years, Alex made an unlimited contribution to political life – not simply inside Scotland, however throughout the UK and past.
“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.”
‘A titan of the independence motion’
Mr Salmond’s former get together, the SNP, mentioned in a press release on X that his “leadership brought the SNP into the mainstream and the Scottish Government. He was a titan of the independence movement”.
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Alex Salmond greets “Yes” supporters as he campaigns for Scottish independence on 17 September 2014. File pic: Reuters
Kenny MacAskill, deputy chief of the Alba Get together, mentioned Mr Salmond “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,” he mentioned in a press release, including: “Our thoughts are with Moira and his family. But the dream he cherished so closely and came so close to delivering will never die.”
Newest updates: PM amongst these paying tribute to Alex Salmond
Nicola Sturgeon, who was Mr Salmond’s deputy get together chief for seven years, mentioned she was “shocked and sorry” to be taught of his loss of life.
The pair had a strained relationship in recent times after Mr Salmond confronted sexual harassment allegations, which she acknowledged in her assertion about his loss of life.
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Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon in 2014. Pic: PA
“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,” mentioned Ms Sturgeon in a press release.
“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.”
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Alex Salmond and his spouse Moira depart the Scottish Parliament chamber after the vote to elect him as first minister in 2007. File pic: Reuters
Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned Mr Salmond “leaves behind a lasting legacy” and was “a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”.
“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,” mentioned the PM.
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1990: Alex Salmond’s victory speech
Former prime minister Boris Johnson mentioned he disagreed with Mr Salmond’s politics, saying he was “glad that he never succeeded in breaking up the Union” however was “very sad” he had died.
He referred to as the Scottish politician “one of the great political disruptors of the age” and “the father of Scottish nationalism”.
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Alex Salmond after conceding defeat in Scotland’s independence referendum. File pic: Reuters
Anas Sarwar, the chief of Scottish Labour, wrote in a press release: “Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape can not be overstated.”
‘We disagreed on virtually every part’
“We disagreed on almost everything, but I always respected his intellect and political nous,” wrote former chief of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson on X, and despatched her “sincere sympathies” to his spouse and household.
Russell Findlay, the chief of the Scottish Conservative get together, mentioned Mr Salmond “will be remembered as a formidable and impressive politician who made a lasting impact” on Scotland.
“No matter our political beliefs, we can all respect his dedication to public service,” mentioned Mr Findlay.
Former chief of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace, who’s now Baron Wallace of Tankerness, mentioned he knew from being Mr Salmond’s political opponent “just what a formidable politician he was”.