Alex Salmond's cause of death confirmed as heart attack, Alba Party says

Alex Salmond's cause of death has been confirmed as a heart attack following a post-mortem examination, the Alba Party has said.

The politician, who was Scotland's first minister from 2007 until 2014, died suddenly in North Macedonia on Saturday. He was 69.

Mr Salmond had given a speech at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in the city of Ohrid before collapsing in a crowded room during lunch.

The Scottish government is working with UK officials to bring his body home.

Conservative MP David Davis, who was a friend of the former Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, has called for the RAF to bring his body back to the UK.

A book of condolence has opened at the Scottish parliament for visitors to leave messages that will be sent to his family.

Among those paying tribute over the weekend was Scotland's First Minister John Swinney who said Mr Salmond "inspired a generation" to believe in independence, as he praised his "substantial and significant contribution that he made over many decades to public life".

Mr Salmond's family said he was "a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend".

They added that "Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect and admired throughout the world" and he "dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in - independence for Scotland".

In a message issued by Buckingham Palace, the King said he and the Queen were "greatly saddened" to hear of Mr Salmond's "sudden death".

Mr Salmond was SNP leader from 1990 to 2000 and also had a second stint from 2004 to 2014.

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He resigned as first minister after losing a Scottish independence referendum in 2014, where 55% of voters chose to stay in the UK.

Mr Salmond launched his rival Scottish independence party Alba in 2021 after his relationship with his successor Nicola Sturgeon fractured.

In his later years, Mr Salmond was in a legal battle with the Scottish government, where he won more than £500,000 in court after it was found an investigation into harassment complaints against him was "tainted by apparent bias".

He then announced in November 2023 that he would be taking further action.

Mr Salmond warned a "day of reckoning" for the Scottish government was coming as he named former first minister Ms Sturgeon and ex-permanent secretary Leslie Evans in the case, accusing both of "misfeasance".

Following his death, Alba's acting leader Kenny MacAskill said it was up to Mr Salmond's family to decide whether to continue the legal case against the Scottish government.

(c) Sky News 2024: Alex Salmond's cause of death confirmed as heart attack, Alba Party says