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Former Scotland first minister Alex Salmond, who for decades supported Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom, has died. He is 69 years old.
Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar confirmed Salmond’s death on Saturday, saying he had been “a central figure in politics for over three decades”.
Salmond, then leader of the Scottish National Party, led the independence movement in the 2014 referendum but lost with 45% of the vote.
Salmond resigned from the SNP in 2018 amid sexual harassment allegations and subsequently formed a new party called Alba.
Salmond served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and leader of the Scottish National Party from 1990 to 2000 and 2004 to 2014.
Former British Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Salmond was “an important figure in our politics.”
“While I disagree with him on constitutional issues, there is no denying his debating skills and his passion for politics,” Sunak said on X. “May he rest in peace.”
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