Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond dies at 69

Salmond, a key figure in the Scottish independence movement, reportedly collapsed in North Macedonia after delivering a speech. The British Press Association reported Salmond was thought to have suffered a heart attack, but said there would be a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death, CNN reported.

Salmond, who served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was a prominent leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), was hailed by figures across the political spectrum for his tireless work and contributions to Scottish and UK politics.

Leading the tributes, King Charles expressed his grief over Salmond's passing, saying, "My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond," the king said. "His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also paid his respects, calling Salmond "a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics" for over 30 years. Starmer continued, "He leaves behind a lasting legacy. As First Minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland's heritage, 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 of service. My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family, and his loved ones. On behalf of the UK government, I offer them our condolences today."

Salmond, who played a leading role in the 2014 independence referendum, secured 45 per cent of the vote, a significant result for the cause. Though defeated in the referendum, he continued to advocate for independence, founding the Alba Party in 2021 after stepping down as SNP leader and First Minister.

Chris McEleny, General Secretary of the Alba Party, shared his sorrow, stating, "I will never be able to thank Alex for all his lessons, advice, guidance, mentorship, love and friendship and for everything he did for Scotland. For many years he was the father of the nation and for several years he has been a father-like figure to me," CNN reported.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney also expressed his deep sadness. "Over many years, Alex made an enormous contribution to political life - not just within Scotland, but across the UK and beyond. 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," Swinney said, as reported by CNN.

Despite his political career facing setbacks, including a high-profile trial in 2018 over sexual misconduct accusations, Salmond was cleared of all charges in a 2020 trial. His long-standing influence on Scottish politics remains undeniable.

Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar also shared his condolences, stating, "The sad news of Alex Salmond's passing today will come as a shock to all who knew him in Scotland, across the UK and beyond. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time and on behalf of Scottish Labour I offer our sincere condolences to all who will be mourning his loss. Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape cannot be overstated," CNN reported. (ANI)