Alex Salmond: Ex-Scottish First Minister's cause of death confirmed after collapsing in North Macedonia

The 69-year-old died on Saturday, October 12 in North Macedonia. The Alba leader had delivered a speech at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum before collapsing at a lunch following the event.

A post-mortem was carried out, with the result now confirming that Salmond had passed away after suffering a heart attack. Work is now under way to bring the former SNP leader’s body home.

Tributes were paid to Salmond, who served as Scottish First Minister from 2007 until 2014 and led his party through the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum, from across. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.

“As first minister of Scotland he cared deeply about Scotland’s heritage, history and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service.

“My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family and his loved ones. On behalf of the UK government, I offer them our condolences today.”

King Charles added: “My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond. His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service. We extend our deep condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.”

His former SNP colleague Nicola Sturgeon, with whom he experienced a deteriorated relationship with in recent years, said: “I am shocked and sorry to learn of Alex Salmond’s death. Obviously, I cannot pretend that the events of the past few years which led to the breakdown of our relationship did not happen, and it would not be right for me to try.

“However, it remains the fact that for many years Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life. He was my mentor, and for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics. Alex modernised the SNP and led us into government for the first time, becoming Scotland’s fourth First Minister and paving the way for the 2014 referendum which took Scotland to the brink of independence.

“He will be remembered for all of that. My thoughts are with Moira, his wider family and his friends.”