Alex Salmond ‘left footprint on Scottish politics’, says Swinney

After news broke of his death Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Salmond as a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”.

Salmond’s successor as first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said he had been her mentor and that “for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics”.

King Charles said he and the Queen were “greatly saddened” to hear of Salmond’s sudden death, adding: “His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service

“We extend our deep condolences to his family and loved ones at this time”.

Salmond led the pro-independence side ahead of the referendum in 2014, and resigned as first minister after Scottish voters backed remaining in the UK by 55% to 45%.

He had led the SNP to power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007, having previously been the party’s leader between 1990 and 2000.

Salmond, Scotland’s first pro-independence first minister, then led the SNP to an unprecedented majority in the election four years later – which paved the way for the referendum to be held.

Under his leadership, the Scottish government also introduced popular policies including free NHS prescriptions and free university tuition fees for Scottish students.

After quitting as first minister, he had a spectacular fallout with Sturgeon over her government’s mishandling of harassment complaints against him.

Salmond was also cleared of serious sexual offence charges after a trial in Edinburgh in 2020.

After quitting the SNP, Salmond set up an alternative independence supporting party, called Alba, of which he was the leader.

He also hosted his own show on the controversial Russian broadcaster RT, but suspended it following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.