Alex Salmond death – latest: Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to ‘mentor’ ex-Scottish first minister
Sir Keir Starmer also praises Alba leader as ‘monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics’
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Tributes have poured in for the longtime Scottish first minister Alex Salmond after his sudden death aged 69 shocked the world of politics in which he was a senior figure for decades.
The current Alba leader passed away on Saturday afternoon at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in the North Macedonia lake-resort town of Ohrid, the party’s general secretary Chris McEleny confirmed.
He had made a speech at the event, and the party said it understood he suffered a heart attack at lunch in a crowded room, although there will be a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death.
Mr 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, with contemporaries from across the political spectrum expressing their condolences.
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer led the tributes, describing Mr Salmond as a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics” for more than 30 years.
Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to her “mentor”, while Scotland’s current first minister John Swinney said Mr Salmond “fought fearlessly” for Scottish independence.
Alba Party deputy leader Kenny MacAskill said the party “grieves the loss of their founder and leader”.
What next for the Alba party following Salmond death?
With the sudden death of its talismanic founder and leader Alex Salmond, the Alba party, with just one MSP and two local councillors, faces difficult questions.
Alex Salmond founded the Alba party in March 2021 with the aim of delivering a “supermajority” for Scottish independence in the Scottish Parliament.
In a speech he delivered at the party’s launch, the former first minister said the plan was to use the regional list mechanism in Scotland’s electoral system to mop up “nearly one million wasted SNP votes”.
Read the full article here:
What next for the Alba party following Salmond death?
The Alba party, founded by Alex Salmond in 2021, is yet to see any of its candidates win a seat in an election.
Alex Salmond discusses future plans in video posted hours before his death
Alex Salmond discusses future political plans in video posted hours before his death
Alex Salmond discussed his future political plans in video posted just hours before his sudden death. The Alba Party leader, who served as Scotland’s first minister between 2007 and 2014, passed away on Saturday (12 October) after giving a speech in North Macedonia. In a video posted by Scotland Speaks with Alan Salmond on Saturday morning, the politician spoke about his aims for the party. Mr Salmond previously spoke about waiting until 2026 to stand himself at the Scottish Parliamentary elections.
Salmond left ‘fundamental footprint’ on Scottish politics, says First Minister
Scottish First Minster John Swinney said Alex Salmond “left a fundamental footprint on Scottish politics” as he paid tribute to his late former party leader.
Mr Salmond, who led the SNP before later founding the Alba party, died at the age of 69 on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack during a trip to North Macedonia.
The former first minister had made a speech at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum before collapsing at lunch in a crowded room.
Read the full article here:
Salmond left ‘fundamental footprint’ on Scottish politics, says First Minister
Mr Salmond, who led the SNP before later founding the Alba party, died at the age of 69 on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack.
Actor Brian Cox calls Alex Salmond ‘one of greatest’ political thinkers
Actor Brian Cox has paid tribute to former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, saying he was “one of the greatest political thinkers” the British Isles ever produced.
The Succession actor was friends with Mr Salmond, who died in North Macedonia at the age of 69.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, he said Mr Salmond was “a lot of fun”.
“He was very entertaining.”
Read the full article here:
Actor Brian Cox calls Alex Salmond ‘one of greatest’ political thinkers
The Succession actor was friends with Mr Salmond, who died on Saturday in North Macedonia at the age of 69.
Boris Johnson describes Salmond as ‘one of the great political disruptors of the age’
Former prime minister Boris Johnson said Alex Salmond was “one of the great political disruptors of the age” and “the father of modern Scottish nationalism”.
Paying tribute, Mr Johnson added: “He was charismatic, clever, caustic and fearsome in debate.
“I am glad that he never succeeded in breaking up the union but very sad that he is gone.”
King ‘greatly saddened’ by sudden death of former SNP leader Alex Salmond
The King has said he is “greatly saddened” to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first SNP first minister, at the age of 69.
The Alba leader died on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack during a trip to North Macedonia.
King Charles said in a message issued by Buckingham Palace: “My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond.
Read the full article here:
Alex Salmond death – latest: Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to ‘mentor’
Sir Keir Starmer also praises Alba leader as ‘monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics’
King Charles is ‘greatly saddened’ to hear of Salmond death
The King has said he is “greatly saddened” to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first SNP first minister, at the age of 69.
The Alba leader died on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack during a trip to North Macedonia.
King Charles said in a message issued by Buckingham Palace: “My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond.
“His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service.
“We extend our deep condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.”
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