Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond dies

Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond has died at the age of 69.

The former MP and MSP, who led the country between 2007 and 2014, took ill while in North Macedonia.

It is understood he collapsed after delivering a speech earlier on Saturday.

Salmond formed the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021 after resigning from the SNP three years earlier.

He led the Yes campaign during the Scottish independence campaign, and resigned as first minister after Scottish voters backed remaining in the UK by 55% to 45% in 2014.

Salmond had led the SNP to power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007.

The party then won an unprecedented majority in the election four years later – which paved the way for the referendum to be held.