Former Scottish First Minister and leader of the Alba party, Alex Salmond, has passed away at the age of 69. Salmond was in North Macedonia when he suffered a suspected heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Moira. Salmond had two tenures as SNP leader and became First Minister in 2004. He resigned in 2014 following the independence referendum defeat but did not leave the party until 2018.
In August 2018, allegations of sexual assault dating back to his time as First Minister were reported to the police, prompting an internal Government investigation. Despite denying the claims and challenging the complaints procedure in court, Salmond resigned from the SNP after 45 years in order to avoid causing internal divisions within the party. He expressed his deep love for the SNP and the independence movement in Scotland but felt it necessary to step down.
In January 2019, Salmond faced charges related to the allegations, including two counts of attempted rape. In 2020, he was acquitted of all charges after a lengthy legal process that impacted his public image. A court later ruled that the Government investigation into the allegations had been unlawful and biased, leading to Salmond winning over £500,000 in legal fees from the Scottish Government.
Following his departure from the SNP, Salmond became the leader of the Alba party just before the 2021 Scottish Election. Despite attracting some supporters from the SNP, the party never gained more than 3% of the vote. Salmond was speaking for the Alba party at a conference in North Macedonia when he tragically passed away.
Alex Salmond’s legacy in Scottish politics has been significant, with both achievements and controversies marking his career. The news of his death has prompted tributes and reflections on his contributions to Scottish and UK politics. His passing marks the end of a chapter in Scottish political history, leaving a lasting impact on the nation.