Alex Salmond, the highly influential former first minister of Scotland, and a key leader in the Scottish independence campaign, has sadly passed away at 69 years old.
Taking the helm as first minister in 2007, Salmond stepped down after the unsuccessful 2014 independence referendum, passing the mantle to his successor, Nicola Sturgeon. With reports suggesting Salmond fell ill following delivering a speech in North Macedonia, his sudden passing has jolted many.
Salmond started his second tenure as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 2004, leading them to victory in the 2007 Holyrood elections, followed by a significant win in the Scottish Parliament elections in 2011. These triumphs set the stage for the independence referendum.
In 2018, after facing allegations of sexual harassment, he resigned from the SNP and proceeded to form and lead a rival party, Alba. He was subsequently acquitted of all charges in 2020 after a trial.
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, expressed his shock at Salmond’s passing and paid tribute to his important role in shaping Scottish politics over the last three decades. He affirmed Salmond’s significant impact on Scotland’s political landscape, highlighting his influence in the UK and beyond.
