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

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Alex Salmond “inspired a generation” to believe in independence.

Tributes have been paid to the former SNP leader from across the political spectrum following his death in North Macedonia on Saturday aged 69.

Swinney, who served as finance secretary under Salmond, said he took the party from the fringes of Scottish politics to the heart of government.

He said the party’s achievements since coming to power in 2007 were built on Salmond’s “sense of motivation” to serve the people of Scotland.

Asked about his predecessor’s legacy, he told the BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “He inspired a generation of people to believe in Scottish independence and that generation still believes in Scottish independence and still wants Scottish independence.

“Alec has left a fundamental mark on Scottish politics on this significant issue.”

Swinney said Salmond would be remembered as a “very significant figure” in British politics who “led from the front”.

The First Minister added: “He had a very bold agenda about how he wanted to transform Scotland and make Scotland an independent country.”

The former MP and MSP, who led Scotland between 2007 and 2014, fell ill while attending an international conference.

The North Macedonian government said Salmond lost consciousness at the Inex Olgica hotel near the city of Ohrid at around 3:30 pm local time on Saturday.

Local media reports said he collapsed during lunch and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Alba party, which he led, believes the cause of death was a heart attack, according to the Press Association news agency.

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

Salmond’s successor as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said he was his mentor and that “for more than a decade we have formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics”.

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

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

Salmond led the pro-independence side before the referendum in 2014 and resigned as first minister after Scottish voters backed remaining in the United Kingdom by 55% to 45%.

He led the SNP to power when it won elections to the Scottish Parliament 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 elections 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 fees for Scottish students.

After stepping down as prime minister, he had a spectacular row with Sturgeon over her government’s handling of harassment complaints against him.

Salmond was also cleared of serious sexual offense charges following a trial in Edinburgh in 2020.

After leaving the SNP, Salmond created an alternative independence-supporting party called Alba, of which he was leader.

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