A photo of Alex Salmond taken during an event for the Alba Party (Image: Getty )

       Alex Salmond, a political giant of the Scottish independence movement for more than three decades, has died aged 69.

       Mr Salmond served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on two occasions, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.

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       Alex Salmond dies aged 69: Former First Minister of Scotland dies after speech

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       Alex Salmond died ‘opening bottle of ketchup' as health struggles revealed

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       Alex Salmond's final moments as he 'collapsed into arms of colleague'

       55 Comments

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       More recently he was instrumental in forming the rival independence party, Alba, of which he was the leader.

       The effervescent and sometimes bombastic politician first entered Westminster as an MP for the SNP for Banff and Buchan in the 1987 General Election during Margaret Thatcher's reign as Prime Minister.

       In just three years he would go on to take over as leader of the SNP, a position he would hold for around 20 years.

       The University of St Andrews-educated MP was married to wife Moira, now aged 87 and the couple had no children. The pair were married for over 40 years. She had become his boss when he joined the Scottish Office in the 1970s. They closely protectd thir private lives and she was rarely seen in public appearances.

       He was born in Linlithgow, a small town west of Edinburgh, on December 31, 1954. According to the BBC, both his parents were civil servants.

       READ MORE... Alex Salmond dies aged 69 after collapsing moments after speech

       Alex Salmond with the Scottish flag, dreamed of independence for his home nation (Image: Getty )

       When the Scottish Parliament was formed under Tony Blair's Labour government, Mr Salmond joined the legislature in 1999, having previously won his Westminster seat as an MP in 1992 and 1997.

       Mr Salmond quite the Scottish Parliament in 2001 and was succeeded as leader of the SNP by John Swinney, but he would later replace him in 2004 after the SNP performed poorly in the European Elections.

       In 2012 under Mr Salmond the SNP won a majority in the Scottish Parliament which then saw him sign a deal with the UK Prime Minister David Cameron for an independece referendum in 2014.

       The SNP subsequently lost the 'Yes' campaign to break up the United Kingdom and Mr Salmond resigned as leader to be replaced by Nicola Sturgeon.

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       One of the last photos of Mr Salmond taken in July (Image: Getty )

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       In 2017 Mr Salmond lost his seat as an MP to the Conservatives and went on to host a talk show on the RT channel.

       In March 2020 he was cleared of all charges against him in a criminal trial after a series of allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him while he was First Minister.

       In 2021 Mr Salmond joined the Alba Party as leader.

       Floods of tributes have poured in for the veterain politician, with Sir Keir Starmer calling him a "monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics".

       The Prime Minister said: "For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.

       Former prime minister Rishi Sunak said Mr Salmond was a "huge figure in our politics".

       DON'T MISS

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       Alex Salmond's cause of death 'suspected heart attack' says source close to former leader

       29 Comments

       Alex Salmond died ‘opening bottle of ketchup' as health struggles revealed

       80 Comments

       Alex Salmond's final moments as he 'collapsed into arms of colleague'

       55 Comments

       I worked with Alex Salmond - I'll never forget what the SNP leader taught me

       25 Comments

       Boris Johnson mocks ‘useless' Nicola Sturgeon and her ￡110k motorhome - ‘Halo slipped!'

       115 Comments

       Labour rebellion as Scottish Parliament votes to demand Keir Starmer Winter Fuel U-turn

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       Labour Commons uproar as Oliver Dowden blasts low-quality MPs and ‘nepo babies'

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       Alex Salmond's family breaks silence with tribute for 'formidable politician'

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       Alex Salmond's final tweet just three hours before sudden death

       54 Comments

       King Charles and Queen Camilla pay tribute to Alex Salmond's 'devotion to Scotland'

       4 Comments

       Alex Salmond dies aged 69: Former First Minister of Scotland dies after speech

       Comments

       Alex Salmond's wife Moira Salmond who stood by husband's side for 40 years

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       Alex Salmond served huge blow to Labour's Winter Fuel Payment just cuts weeks before death

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       Alex Salmond's cause of death 'suspected heart attack' says source close to former leader

       29 Comments

       Alex Salmond died ‘opening bottle of ketchup' as health struggles revealed

       80 Comments

       Alex Salmond's final moments as he 'collapsed into arms of colleague'

       55 Comments

       I worked with Alex Salmond - I'll never forget what the SNP leader taught me

       25 Comments

       Boris Johnson mocks ‘useless' Nicola Sturgeon and her ￡110k motorhome - ‘Halo slipped!'

       115 Comments

       Labour rebellion as Scottish Parliament votes to demand Keir Starmer Winter Fuel U-turn

       84 Comments

       Labour Commons uproar as Oliver Dowden blasts low-quality MPs and ‘nepo babies'

       176 Comments

       Turning point for Reform UK as Nigel Farage reveals shock poll puts them 'ahead of Labour'

       1703 Comments

       Keir Starmer blasted for 'disastrous' first 100 days after winter fuel payment fury

       496 Comments

       Shock poll reveals Reform overtaking Tories in Wales as it closes in on two main parties

       148 Comments

       Keir Starmer met Taylor Swift at London concert after she was granted police escort

       254 Comments

       Nigel Farage erupts as he accuses Labour of 'direct interference' in US election

       479 Comments

       British holiday destination in uproar after huge motorway could 'change the island'

       24 Comments

       Keir Starmer is desperate for one thing - and it will terrify fishing communities

       95 Comments

       Alex Salmond's family breaks silence with tribute for 'formidable politician'

       34 Comments

       Alex Salmond's final tweet just three hours before sudden death

       54 Comments

       King Charles and Queen Camilla pay tribute to Alex Salmond's 'devotion to Scotland'

       4 Comments

       Alex Salmond dies aged 69: Former First Minister of Scotland dies after speech

       Comments

       Alex Salmond's wife Moira Salmond who stood by husband's side for 40 years

       4 Comments

       Alex Salmond served huge blow to Labour's Winter Fuel Payment just cuts weeks before death

       9 Comments

       Alex Salmond's cause of death 'suspected heart attack' says source close to former leader

       29 Comments

       Alex Salmond died ‘opening bottle of ketchup' as health struggles revealed

       80 Comments

       Alex Salmond's final moments as he 'collapsed into arms of colleague'

       55 Comments

       I worked with Alex Salmond - I'll never forget what the SNP leader taught me

       25 Comments

       Boris Johnson mocks ‘useless' Nicola Sturgeon and her ￡110k motorhome - ‘Halo slipped!'

       115 Comments

       Labour rebellion as Scottish Parliament votes to demand Keir Starmer Winter Fuel U-turn

       84 Comments

       Labour Commons uproar as Oliver Dowden blasts low-quality MPs and ‘nepo babies'

       176 Comments

       In a tribute posted on X, Mr Sunak added: "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."

       Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Mr Salmond was "a central figure in politics for over three decades".

       In a statement, Mr Sarwar said: "The sad news of Alex Salmond's passing today will come as a shock to all who knew him in Scotland, across the UK and beyond."