Ex-Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond dead at 69 after giving final speech

Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland has died, after reportedly being taken ill after giving a speech in North Macedonia.

Prime Minister led tributes to the ex-SNP leader and media personality, saying he "cared deeply about Scotland's heritage, history and culture."

Mr Salmond was speaking at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohrid, North Macedonia on a panel on Friday morning alongside his Alba deputy leader Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.

The event on Friday morning was titled ‘Young Leaders for International Cooperation, Cultural Understanding & Peace’.

Salmond is thought to have been at the event again today when he collapsed and died, suffering a suspected heart attack.

The former MP and MSP led the SNP for two decades, and the country between 2007 and 2014 - a period which saw the nation split independence referendum campaign.

Mr Salmond stepped down as First Minister after voted to remain in the UK, with his deputy Nicola Sturgeon succeeding him unopposed.

He twice served as a Member of Parliament in Westminster, first as the member for Banff and Buchan from 1987 to 2010, then representing Gordon from 2015 to 2017.

He resigned from the in 2018, and later formed the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021.

He is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Moira McGlashan.

Outside of Parliamentary politics, Mr Salmond faced heavy criticism over his long-running show on RT, the Russian state-operated news channel. The Alex Salmond Show ran from 2017 to 2022, when it was suspended following the Russian invasion of .

He started a new show on social media platforms - Scotland Speaks with Alex Salmond - which launched in 2023, with the final episode published this morning.

Keir Starmer said: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.

“As First Minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history, and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service.

“My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family, and his loved ones. On behalf of the UK government, I offer them our condolences today.”

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Scottish Leader Anas Sarwar said the news of Mr Salmond's death would "come as a shock" to those who knew him.

"Alex was a central figure in politics for over three decades and his contribution to the Scottish political landscape cannot be over stated."

Former PM said: "Alex Salmond was a huge figure in our politics.

"While I disagreed with him on the constitutional question, there was no denying his skill in debate or his passion for politics. May he rest in peace."