Scotland Mourns the Passing of Independence Champion Alex Salmond

Scottish politics has lost a prominent figure with the passing of Alex Salmond. At the age of 69, the former Scottish First Minister passed away while in North Macedonia. British media reports that he collapsed after giving a speech on Saturday. Chris McEleny, the General Secretary of Salmond's Alba Party, shared heartfelt words. He mentioned that Salmond was like a father figure to many, including himself. The general secretary emphasized that Salmond left a lasting impact on Scotland with his dedication to the country's heritage and culture. He also served as an MP and MSP for many years. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged Salmond's significant role in Scottish and UK politics over the past three decades. He expressed his condolences to Salmond's family and loved ones on behalf of the UK government. Salmond stepped down as first minister and SNP leader after the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence failed. Nicola Sturgeon replaced him. He later founded the Alba Party in 2021 and continued to advocate for Scottish independence. Even after losing his seat in parliament, Salmond remained influential. He worked as a commentator and hosted a show on RT, a Russian state broadcaster. In 2018, Salmond faced a legal battle with the Scottish government over sexual misconduct allegations. He claimed the government did not allow him to properly defend himself. Despite these challenges, a jury cleared him of all charges in 2020. Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, expressed his sorrow. He highlighted Salmond's significant contribution to Scottish politics over the past three decades. The SNP also shared multiple media reports of Salmond's death on social media. The Scottish government has not yet provided an official comment.