Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond dies

Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has died aged 69.

Mr Salmond, who led the Scottish National Party between 1990 and 2000 and then again between 2004 and 2014, was a prominent figure in the country's nationalist movement.

The second time around he used his mandate as first minister to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.

The "Yes Scotland" campaign was defeated and he resigned as a result.

Read more: Obituary: The political titan that was Alex Salmond

At the time of his death, he had been the leader of the nationalist Alba Party since 2021.

He died on Saturday afternoon at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in the North Macedonia resort town of Ohrid, Chris McEleny, the party's general secretary, confirmed.

A Facebook post by the organisers showed Mr Salmond at the political forum the day before he died.

"Unfortunately, Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland who was one of the panellists at yesterday's cultural diplomacy forum that was held in Ohrid, died suddenly today," said a statement from the office of former North Macedonia President Gjorgje Ivanov.

"We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in North Macedonia and are in touch with the local authorities," confirmed a Foreign Office spokesperson.

Salmond 'fought fearlessly for the country that he loved'

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said: "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."

'A titan of the independence movement'

Mr Salmond's former party, the SNP, said in a statement on X that his "leadership brought the SNP into the mainstream and the Scottish Government. He was a titan of the independence movement".

Kenny MacAskill, deputy leader of the Alba Party, said Mr Salmond "was not just a master political tactician but strategist. Yet also a politician who was a superb debater and orator. But one who equally possessed extraordinary charm and a common touch which endeared him to so many in Scotland."

"The Party grieves the loss of their founder and Leader," he said in a statement, adding: "Our thoughts are with Moira and his family. But the dream he cherished so closely and came so close to delivering will never die."

Latest updates: PM among those paying tribute to Alex Salmond

Nicola Sturgeon, who was Mr Salmond's deputy party leader for seven years, said she was "shocked and sorry" to learn of his death.

The pair had a strained relationship in recent years after Mr Salmond faced sexual harassment allegations, which she acknowledged in her statement about his 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," said Ms Sturgeon in a statement.

"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."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Mr Salmond "leaves behind a lasting legacy" and was "a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics".

"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," said the PM.

Read more: Salmond's death reverberates around every corner of UK politics

Former prime minister Boris Johnson said he disagreed with Mr Salmond's politics, saying he was "glad that he never succeeded in breaking up the Union" but was "very sad" he had died.

He called the Scottish politician "one of the great political disruptors of the age" and "the father of Scottish nationalism".

Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, wrote in a statement: "Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape can not be overstated."

'We disagreed on almost everything'

"We disagreed on almost everything, but I always respected his intellect and political nous," wrote former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson on X, and sent her "sincere sympathies" to his wife and family.

Russell Findlay, the leader of the Scottish Conservative party, said Mr Salmond "will be remembered as a formidable and impressive politician who made a lasting impact" on Scotland.

"No matter our political beliefs, we can all respect his dedication to public service," said Mr Findlay.

Former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace, who is now Baron Wallace of Tankerness, said he knew from being Mr Salmond's political opponent "just what a formidable politician he was".

Following the news, Sky News understands the SNP will suspend campaigning tomorrow for a local by-election.

(c) Sky News 2024: Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond dies