Harriet Sinclair
Alex Salmond latest: Scotland's former First Minister dies, aged 69
Salmond was taken ill while giving a speech in North Macedonia
Updated
Scotland's former first minister and current Alba Party leader Alex Salmond has died aged 69.
He was reportedly taken ill and collapsed while giving a speech at a conference in North Macedonia on Saturday.
Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was leader of the Scottish National Party on two occasions, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
Keir Starmer paid tribute to Salmond, calling him a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”.
“He leaves behind a lasting legacy," Starmer said. “As first minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service."
Yahoo News has closed its live coverage. Read below for a recap on all the news of Alex Salmond's death:
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER21 updates
‘Monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics’ – tributes paid to Alex Salmond
Tributes have been paid to Alex Salmond following his death aged 69, as the Prime Minister called him a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”.
Sir Keir Starmer said the former Scotland first minister and SNP leader “leaves behind a lasting legacy”.
The prime minister added: “As first minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service.
Read the full story from PA.
- Harriet Sinclair
Opinion: Alex Salmond was a flawed giant
Alex Salmond was a divisive figure in politics. (Getty Images) Alex Salmond was, beyond doubt, the most significant Scottish politician of his generation, writes Tom Harris for the Telegraph.
He galvanised a previously moribund Scottish National Party (SNP), forced it to become a disciplined, professional campaigning organisation, and used it to bring the British state to within a hair’s breadth of destruction.
Salmond himself would not appreciate the comparison, but he was Scotland’s version of Nigel Farage, a rare example of a politician uniquely and forever identified with the central cause he espoused.
Read the full story from The Telegraph.
- Harriet Sinclair
Devastated Michael Stewart pauses Scotland commentary to pay moving tribute to Alex Salmond
Michael Stewart paused his Scotland commentary duties to pay an emotional tribute to Alex Salmond.
The former First Minister passed away after giving a speech in north Macedonia earlier today. Stewart, who is on co-comms as Steve Clarke's side take on Croatia in the Nations League.
News broke towards the end of the first half, in which Ryan Christie had fired the Scots ahead before they were pegged back when Igor Matanovic levelled things up three minutes later.
Read the full story from the Daily Record.
- Harriet Sinclair
Alex Salmond's wife Moira stood by husband's side for 40 years
Former First Minister Alex Salmond attends court with his wife Moira Salmond. (AP) Alex Salmond was married to his wife Moira Salmond for more than 40 years during his decades-long political career.
The 87-year-old, from Peebles, married Salmond in 1981. They met in the 1970s when Moira was his boss at the Scottish Office in London. She worked in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries when he joined as an assistant economist.
Read the full story from the Daily Record.
- Harriet Sinclair
Political and media figures pay tribute to former first minister Alex Salmond
Politicians have paid tribute to Alex Salmond. (PA) Politicians and commentators in the UK have been paying tribute to Alex Salmond after the death of the former first minister of Scotland on Saturday.
Keir Starmer called Salmond a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”.
The prime minister said: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.
Read the full story from The Guardian.
- Harriet Sinclair
Alex Salmond obituary: The divisive figure who fought for independence legacy
Alex Salmond will be remembered as one of the most iconic political figures of his generation.
As leader of the SNP, he brought Scotland closer to independence from the United Kingdom than at any other time in the Union's 300-year history during the 2014 referendum.
Defeat for the Yes campaign in that vote ended his seven-year tenure as the country's first minister, during which time he solidified the SNP as the dominant force in Scottish politics. He was divisive amongst the political elite yet able to unite Scotland's pro-independence base.
Read the full obituary from the Daily Record.
- Jasmine Andersson
An ever-present figure in Scottish politics - Gillian Martin
Gillian Martin, the SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire East, has also paid tribute to Salmond, calling him “an ever-present figure in Scottish politics".
Martin, who took over Salmond's seat in the 2016 general election, served under the former first minister.
I am shocked to hear Alex Salmond has died. My thoughts are with Moira and his family. I was fortunate to spend time with him as a candidate taking on his former seat of Aberdeenshire East. An ever present figure in Scottish politics who made a huge difference. RIP
— Gillian Martin (@GillianMSP) October 12, 2024
In a post on social media, Martin wrote: “I was fortunate to spend time with him as a candidate taking on his former seat of Aberdeenshire East.
She added: “An ever-present figure in Scottish politics who made a huge difference.”
- Jasmine Andersson
Salmond was a tour de force in politics - Ash Regan
Ash Regan, Alba's leader at Holyrood, has called Salmond "a tour de force in politics" who "took us close to independence"
The pair worked closely together in the Alba party, which Salmond led from 2021 until his death.
A tour de force in politics, who took us close to independence. Alex had the nation believe in itself.
My thoughts to his family, friends and all those who he inspired to dream. 🏴 💔 pic.twitter.com/KyOGDoofXk— Ash Regan MSP (@AshReganALBA) October 12, 2024
The MSP for Edinburgh Eastern posted on X: “Alex had the nation believe in itself. My thoughts to his family, friends and all those who he inspired to dream.”
- Jasmine Andersson
Even with the breakdown of our relationship, Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life - Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Photo by David Cheskin - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has also now paid tribute to Salmond, acknowledging the "breakdown" in the pair's relationship.
The row between the two former SNP leaders began when allegations of sexual harassment were made against Salmond by two female civil servants in 2018.
Even though Sturgeon and Salmond were said never to have resolved their issues, the former first minister said she was "shocked and saddened" to hear of her former mentor's death.
“Obviously, I cannot pretend that the events of the past few years which led to the breakdown of our relationship did not happen, and it would not be right for me to try," she said.
“However, it remains the fact that for many years Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life. He was my mentor, and for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics. He will be remembered for all of that."
- Jasmine Andersson
Salmond's leadership brought the SNP into the mainstream - SNP
Salmond left the SNP in 2018 (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) Alex Salmond's former political party, the SNP, has issued an official tribute on its X account.
Salmond, who resigned from the SNP in 2018 following accusations of sexual misconduct, led another Scottish pro-independence party, Alba, from 2021 until his death.
🏴 Alex Salmond, former leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, has died. His leadership brought the SNP into the mainstream and the Scottish Government. He was a titan of the independence movement. Our thoughts are with Moira and his family. pic.twitter.com/RRz1A8iGTz
— The SNP (@theSNP) October 12, 2024
Alongside a black-and-white image of Salmond, it reads: "His leadership brought the SNP into the mainstream and the Scottish government.
"He was a titan of the independence movement. Our thoughts are with Moira and his family."
- Harriet Sinclair
Alex Salmond, Scotland’s charismatic former first minister whose career was dogged by controversy
Alex Salmond, Scotland’s former first minister who has died aged 69, was the dominant figure in the Scottish National Party during its odyssey from the political fringe to the independence referendum of 2014, which momentarily looked set to break up the United Kingdom.
Truculent and astute, he led the SNP to power at Holyrood in 2007, and after skilfully heading a minority administration for four years inflicted a crushing defeat on Labour in 2011, then set the stage for a referendum on September 18 2014, the 700th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn.
Read the full story from The Telegraph.
- Jasmine Andersson
Flags lowered at Scottish parliament
Flags at Holyrood have been lowered to mark the passing of Alex Salmond.
The presiding officer from the Scottish parliament said the gesture had been made as a mark of respect for the former first minister.
In a statement, Alison Johnstone, the presiding officer, said: “On behalf of the Scottish parliament, on the sad news of the passing of Alex Salmond, first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014, my most sincere condolences to his wife Moira, his family and friends at this difficult time.
“Our thoughts are with you. Flags at the parliament have been lowered as a mark of respect.”
- Jasmine Andersson
Impossible to overstate Salmond's impact - Ian Murray
Ian Murray, who has served as secretary of state for Scotland for the UK government since July, said that “it is impossible to overstate" the impact Alex Salmond had "on Scotland and on our politics", and will be "dearly missed by many".
He said that the former first minister "served the country he loved".
It’s impossible to overstate the impact Alex Salmond had on Scotland and our politics.
He served the country he loved as First Minister and will be dearly missed by many.
My thoughts and sympathies are with his family and loved ones at this time.— Ian Murray MP (@IanMurrayMP) October 12, 2024
He wrote on X: “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace.”
- Jasmine Andersson
Salmond fought fearlessly for independence - John Swinney
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney has paid tribute to his predecessor, and said he is “deeply shocked and saddened” at the death of Alex Salmond who he said “fought fearlessly” for Scottish independence.
"He took the SNP from the fringes of Scottish politics into government and led Scotland so close to becoming an independent country," he wrote on X.
I am deeply shocked and saddened at the untimely death of the former First Minister Alex Salmond and I extend my deepest condolences to Alex’s wife Moira and to his family. (1/3)
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) October 12, 2024
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. (2/3)
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) October 12, 2024
There will be much more opportunity to reflect in the coming days, but today all of our thoughts are with Alex’s family, and his many friends and right across the political spectrum. (3/3)
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) October 12, 2024
In his last social media post before his death, Salmond took aim at Swinney, questioning why he posed in a "convivial group selfie" with the government, who are "freezing Scots pensioners".
- Jasmine Andersson
Despite our obvious differences he made a huge contribution to Scottish politics - Humza Yousaf
Humza Yousaf shared his condolences following news of Alex Salmond's death. (Getty Images) Former first minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf took to X to share his condolences following news of Alex Salmond's death.
The pair most recently came to loggerheads last month, when Yousaf accused his predecessor of abusing his power while in office.
But he said while the pair "obviously" had their differences, there's "no doubt about the enormous contribution he made to Scottish & UK politics".
Alex and I obviously had our differences in the last few years, but there's no doubt about the enormous contribution he made to Scottish & UK politics. As well as helping to transform the SNP into the dominant political force it is today.
My condolences to his family & friends. https://t.co/lhAp0O42VQ— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) October 12, 2024
He added that he helped "transform the SNP into the dominant political force it is today. My condolences to his family & friends".
- Jasmine Andersson
A formidable and impressive politician - Russell Findlay
(Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images) The leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Russell Findlay, called Salmond a "formidable and impressive politician" who "made a lasting impact on our country".
Findlay, who was appointed leader of the Scottish Conservatives just over two weeks ago, said he was "shocked and saddened" to hear of the former first minister's sudden passing.
Posting on X, he wrote: “I am shocked and saddened to hear of Alex Salmond’s sudden passing.
“No matter our political beliefs, we can all respect his dedication to public service as an MSP, MP and First Minister of Scotland.
A statement from Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay on Alex Salmond's death. pic.twitter.com/Vd6bQ82ilh
— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) October 12, 2024
“He will be remembered as a formidable and impressive politician who made a lasting impact on our country. The thoughts of everyone in the Scottish Conservative Party are with his family and friends.”
- Jasmine Andersson
Salmond warns of 'convivial group selfies' with Labour in last X posts
The ever-combative Salmond had posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 2pm, shortly before passing away.
The Alba leader and fervent proponent of Scottish independence criticised first minister John Swinney for posing in a "convivial group selfie" at a meeting of the Council of the Nations and Regions with the Labour government, who are "freezing Scots pensioners" by axing the winter fuel payment.
Tony Blair used to whine that he never really compared the Scottish Parliament to an “English Parish Council”, it was only the nasty Scottish press who twisted his remarks! In fact, he did so compare. (1/5) pic.twitter.com/nTqUQlqu3I
— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) October 12, 2024
In the post, he wrote: "Tony Blair used to whine that he never really compared the Scottish Parliament to an “English Parish Council”, it was only the nasty Scottish press who twisted his remarks! In fact, he did so compare.
"Similarly, there is little point in John Swinney complaining that his attendance at the grandly titled Council of the Nations and Regions doesn’t carry a perception of a regional status for the nation of Scotland - it does deliver that status.
"If John or his advisers had read Gordon Brown’s original proposal for this Council, then they would have realised that this wasn’t some ad hoc reset meeting, but part of a plan to pull any independence teeth from devolution."
- Jasmine Andersson
Salmond was the best of company - Andrew Neil
Veteran journalist Andrew Neil has now spoken about his friendship with Salmond, saying that while they could have "not been more different" on their views of Scottish independence, they shared a deep "mutual respect".
Writing on X, the former BBC presenter said that he was "so sad" to learn of the news, adding that spending time with the fellow Scotsman was "always a joy".
"I had lunch with him in London only three weeks ago — an epic lunch as it transpired, as was fitting with Alex — and he was in fine form. Full of plans and plots. He even paid!
So sad to learn that Alex Salmond has died. I had lunch with him in London only three weeks ago — an epic lunch as it transpired, as was fitting with Alex — and he was in fine form. Full of plans and plots. He even paid! His upbeat mood then make this all the more surprising…
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) October 12, 2024
"His upbeat mood then make this all the more surprising and sad."
He went on to say the pair had "mutual respect" despite disagreeing on independence, adding: "He was also the best of company. To be with him was always a joy. I will miss him hugely. So will Scotland. My condolences to his wonderful wife."
- Jasmine Andersson
Salmond leaves behind a lasting legacy - Starmer
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has also paid tribute to Alex Salmond, calling him a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics” who “leaves behind a lasting legacy”.
The prime minister said: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. 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 and MSP 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.”
- Jasmine Andersson
Rishi Sunak: Salmond was a huge figure in our politics
Former prime minister and Conservative leader Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to Salmond, calling him "a huge figure in our politics."
He posted on X: “While I disagreed with him on the constitutional question, there was no denying his skill in debate or his passion for politics. May he rest in peace.”
- Stuart Henderson
Salmond a central figure for three decades
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Salmond was “a central figure in politics for over three decades”.
In a statement, Sarwar said: “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 can not be overstated.”