Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Dies at 69

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Facts

  • Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland and long-time champion of Scottish independence, passed away at the age of 69 in North Macedonia on Saturday.[1][2]
  • Salmond served as Scotland's first minister from 2007 to 2014. He also led the Scottish National Party (SNP) between 1990 and 2000, and for a subsequent decade between 2004 and 2014.[3]
  • As SNP leader, Salmond spearheaded the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, which ultimately failed with just 45% voting in favor of independence — the result was followed by his resignation as first minister.[3][4]
  • In 2018, Salmond resigned from the SNP amid sexual harassment allegations, of which he was acquitted in 2020. He subsequently formed the Alba party in 2021 to continue pushing for Scottish independence.[1][5]
  • Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling Salmond a 'monumental figure' on the Scottish and British political landscapes, and former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledging his skill in debate and passion for politics.[4][2]
  • Salmond's career also included a stint as a broadcaster, hosting 'The Alex Salmond Show' on Russian state broadcaster Russia Today from 2017 to 2022. The show was suspended following Russia's military operation in Ukraine.[6][5]

Sources: [1]CBS, [2]Time, [3]Associated Press, [4]Breitbart, [5]CNN and [6]Guardian.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by BBC News. Salmond was a visionary leader who transformed Scottish politics and brought the dream of independence closer to reality than ever before. His tireless efforts and fearless advocacy for Scotland's interests shaped the political landscape for decades. Despite setbacks, Salmond's legacy as a champion of Scottish self-determination will endure.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Telegraph. While Salmond's political skills were undeniable, his later years were marred by controversy and division. The sexual harassment allegations, though acquitted, caused significant damage to his reputation as well as that of the SNP. His creation of the Alba party further fractured the independence movement, ultimately failing to gain traction with voters.

Predictions