Public leaders from Scotland and the United Kingdom have paid tribute to former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who died on Saturday at the age of 69.
Salmond, a key member of the Scottish independence movement, became unwell in North Macedonia on Saturday after delivering a speech, according to British media reports.
Salmond was presumed to have died of a heart attack, according to the British Press Association, but a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause.
Alex Salmond, Leading Figure In Scottish Independence Movement, Dies At Age 69
Tributes to Salmond, who was Scotland’s First Minister from 2007 to 2014 and led the Scottish National Party twice – from 1990 to 2000 and 2004 to 2014 – came from all sides of the political spectrum, led by King Charles.
“My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond,” the monarch told reporters. “His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental presence in Scottish and UK politics. He leaves a lasting legacy. As First Minister of Scotland, he was strongly committed to Scotland’s tradition, history, and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP (member of parliament) and MSP (member of the Scottish parliament) over many years. My sympathies are with all who knew him, including his family and loved ones. Today, on behalf of the UK government, I extend our sympathies.
Salmond had spent decades championing the cause of Scottish independence and came close to achieving it, receiving 45% of the vote when the matter was put to a referendum in September 2014.
Following the defeat, he resigned as first minister and SNP leader and was succeeded by Nicola Sturgeon, although he continued to work for Scottish independence through the newly established Alba Party, which he founded in 2021.
“I will never be able to thank Alex enough for all of his lessons, counsel, guidance, mentorship, love, and friendship, as well as everything he has done for Scotland. For many years, he was the nation’s father, and he has long been a father figure to me. Chris McEleny, General Secretary of the Alba Party, said on Saturday that his sympathies are with everyone in the family and everyone in Scotland who is mourning.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely death” and sent his condolences to Salmond’s wife Moira and family.
“Over many years, Alex made an enormous contribution to political life – not just in Scotland, but throughout the UK and beyond,” Swinney stated.
“Alex worked tirelessly and battled valiantly for his beloved country and its independence. He brought the Scottish National Party from the edges of Scottish politics into government and led Scotland so close to independence,” he said.
After losing his seat in parliament, Salmond maintained a prominent role in Scottish and British politics, serving as a commentator and hosting the Alex Salmond Show on Russian state broadcaster RT.
Alex Salmond, Leading Figure In Scottish Independence Movement, Dies At Age 69
In 2018, he sued the country’s government over allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him. Salmond said that the Scottish government denied him the opportunity to adequately defend himself against the allegations, which stemmed from his alleged behavior toward a member of staff at the official Bute House house, according to the Daily Record of Scotland.
A jury eventually cleared Salmond of all charges in a March 2020 trial.
“The terrible news of Alex Salmond’s death today will come as a shock to everybody who knew him in Scotland, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this sad time, and on behalf of Scottish Labour, I extend our heartfelt condolences to everyone who will be mourning his loss,” said Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
“Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape cannot be overstated.”
SOURCE | CNN
