The former First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, is dead While he was in office, Scots voted for their country’s independence from the United Kingdom. Salmond was considered charismatic, but he was also controversial.
Former Scottish Prime Minister Alex Salmond has died at the age of 69. He was considered one of the most prominent supporters of an independent Scotland.
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer praised Salmond as a significant figure in Scottish and British politics.
Resignation after unsuccessful referendum
During Salmond’s term as head of government in Edinburgh from 2007 to 2014, Scotland held a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. The Scots narrowly decided to remain in the Union 55 percent to 45 percent.
Salmond then resigned as Prime Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Leaving the SNP, falling out with Sturgeon
He later resigned from the party in the face of abuse allegations from former employees and fell out with his successor and political foster daughter Nicola Sturgeon. The allegations did not stand up in court.
Salmond became the leader of a new independence party called Alba, which had little success at the ballot box.
Salmond was considered charismatic, but he was also controversial. One of the reasons for criticism is that he hosted a program on Russian broadcaster RT, formerly known as Russia Today, after leaving the Scottish government.