Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has died at 69, according to statements from Scotland’s main political parties and UK media reports.

Alex Salmond, a former first minister of Scotland who championed Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom but faced stinging defeat after voters rejected moves toward secession in a 2014 referendum,

ALBA Party Leader and Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond speaks at the launch of ALBA's national campaign, in Ellon, Scotland, Britain, April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -Alex Salmond,

Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland who for decades championed Scotland’s independence from the U.K. and nearly accomplished it, has died. He was 69. Salmond, who was one of the most divisive figure in British politics at the turn of the century and who as the then leader of the Scottish National Party took Scotland

Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland and ardent supporter of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom, has died. He was 69 years old. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday said Salmond was a “monumental figure” in British and Scottish politics.

Mr. Salmond had led the Scottish National Party twice, guiding it from a fringe political group into a powerful electoral force in Britain.

Salmond, as then leader of the Scottish National Party, led the independence campaign in the referendum in 2014.

Alex Salmond, who turned his Scottish National Party’s dream of power into reality even though he didn’t see his vision of an independent country come true, has died. He was 69.