Tributes are being paid to Scotland’s former first minister Alex Salmond following his loss of life aged 69, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing him as a “monumental determine of Scottish and UK politics”.
Salmond, who was a divisive determine in British politics and who because the chief of the Scottish Nationwide Celebration, died in North Macedonia after delivering a speech, UK media reported on Saturday.
Tributes poured in from throughout the political spectrum.
“He leaves behind an enduring legacy,” Sir Keir stated on X.
“As first minister of Scotland, he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, historical past and tradition, in addition to the communities he represented.”
Who was Alex Salmond?
Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014, and was chief of the Scottish Nationwide Celebration (SNP) on two events, from 1990 to 2000, and from 2004 to 2014.
As chief of the SNP, he led the independence marketing campaign within the referendum in 2014, however misplaced, gaining 45 per cent of the vote.
He resigned from the SNP in 2018 .
He subsequently fashioned a brand new celebration referred to as Alba — the Scottish Gaelic phrase for Scotland — and was acquitted of the costs.
The present SNP first minister, John Swinney, stated that he was “deeply shocked and saddened on the premature loss of life” of Salmond.
“Over a few years, Alex made an infinite contribution to political life, not simply inside Scotland, however throughout the UK and past,” he stated.
“He took the Scottish Nationwide Celebration from the fringes of Scottish politics into authorities and led Scotland so near changing into an impartial nation.
Nicola Sturgeon, who succeeded Salmond as , stated he was her “mentor”.
“Clearly, I can’t fake that the occasions of the previous few years which led to the breakdown of our relationship didn’t occur,” she stated.
“Nevertheless, it stays the truth that for a few years Alex was an extremely vital determine in my life. He was my mentor, and for greater than a decade we fashioned probably the most profitable partnerships in UK politics.
“Alex modernised the SNP and led us into authorities for the primary time, changing into Scotland’s fourth first minister and paving the best way for the 2014 referendum which took Scotland to the brink of independence.”
Nicola Sturgeon (proper) succeeded Alex Salmond (left) as Scotland’s first minister. Supply: AAP / PA/Alamy
Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson stated Salmond was “one of many nice political disruptors of the age” and “the daddy of contemporary Scottish nationalism”.
“He was charismatic, intelligent, caustic and fearsome in debate,” he stated.
“I’m glad that he by no means succeeded in breaking apart the union however very unhappy that he’s gone.”
