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Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing him as being a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics”.<\/p>\n
Salmond’s succcessor as first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said he had been her mentor and that “for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics”.<\/p>\n
King Charles said he and the Queen were “greatly saddened” to hear of Salmond’s sudden death, adding: “His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service<\/p>\n
“We extend our deep condolences to his family and loved ones at this time”.<\/p>\n
Salmond led the pro-independence side ahead of the referendum in 2014, and resigned as first minister after Scottish voters backed remaining in the UK by 55% to 45%.<\/p>\n
He had led the SNP to power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007, having previously been the party’s leader between 1990 and 2000.<\/p>\n
Salmond, Scotland’s first pro-independence first minister, then led the SNP to an unprecedented majority in the election four years later – which paved the way for the referendum to be held.<\/p>\n
Under his leadership, the Scottish government also introduced popular policies including free NHS prescriptions and free university tuition fees for Scottish students. <\/p>\n
After quitting as first minister, he had a spectacular fallout with Sturgeon over her government\u2019s mishandling of harassment complaints against him.<\/p>\n
Salmond was also cleared of serious sexual offence charges after a trial in Edinburgh in 2020.<\/p>\n
He had been charged with 13 offences, including attempted rape, but was acquitted of all of the charges against him after two weeks of evidence at the High Court. <\/p>\n
The women who made the allegations against Salmond – which dated back to his time as first minister – had included an SNP politician, a party worker and several current and former Scottish government civil servants and officials.<\/p>\n
During his evidence to the court, he said the claims made about his alleged conduct were “deliberate fabrications for a political purpose” or “exaggerations”.<\/p>\n
In his closing speech to the jury, Salmond’s lawyer said the former first minister “could certainly have been a better man” but had not committed any crimes.<\/p>\n
After quitting the SNP, Salmond set up an alternative independence supporting party, called Alba, of which he was the leader.<\/p>\n
He also hosted his own show on the controversial Russian broadcaster RT, but suspended it following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n