Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond passes away at 69

According to Reuters, the BBC reported that Salmond collapsed after delivering a speech in North Macedonia. Tributes have poured in from political figures across the spectrum for the former leader, who also headed the Scottish National Party (SNP) during two periods—first from 1990 to 2000, and again from 2004 to 2014.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged Salmond’s influence, stating: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy. He cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history, and culture, as well as the communities he represented.”

Salmond oversaw the SNP’s rise from a marginal political group to the dominant force in Scottish politics, following constitutional changes that re-established the Scottish Parliament in 1999. His leadership invigorated the independence movement and sent tremors through Britain’s political establishment.

However, Salmond’s career faced controversy when he was accused of sexual assault, with charges including attempted rape. He was cleared of all charges in a 2020 trial. In 2021, Salmond founded a new political party, Alba, which failed to achieve significant electoral success. His decision to host a political talk show on the Russian channel RT also sparked criticism.

Salmond’s involvement in politics began during his university years when he joined the SNP as part of a socialist faction. Although the group was expelled from the party in 1982, Salmond was reinstated a month later. Before his political rise, he worked as an economist for the Scottish government’s agriculture department and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Salmond is survived by his wife, Moira McGlashan, whom he married in 1981.

(with inputs from Reuters)