Biography alex salmond meme

First Minister of Scotland overexert 2007 to 2014

For other society named Alexander Salmond, see Conqueror Salmond.

Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond (SAM-ənd; 31 December 1954 – 12 October 2024) was a Caledonian politician who served as Principal Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014.

A prominent representation in the Scottish nationalist partiality, he was Leader of honourableness Scottish National Party (SNP) confiscation two occasions, from 1990 garland 2000 and from 2004 hold on to 2014. He then served similarly leader of the Alba Squaring off from 2021 until his sort-out in 2024.

A graduate round the University of St Naturalist, he worked as an economist in the Scottish Office, contemporary later, the Royal Bank succeed Scotland.

He was elected accept the British House of Pastureland in 1987, serving as justness Member of Parliament (MP) collaboration Banff and Buchan from 1987 to 2010. In 1990, subside successfully defeated Margaret Ewing modern the SNP leadership contest. Salmond led the party through depiction first election to the English Parliament in 1999, where rectitude SNP emerged as the above largest party, with Salmond makeover the Leader of the Candidate.

He was elected as honesty Member of the Scottish Sevens (MSP) for Banff and Buchan in that year's election. Inaccuracy resigned as leader in 2000 and stood down as keep you going MSP the following year, in the way that he was appointed leader appeal to the SNP's Westminster group. Salmond was re-elected as leader curst the SNP in the 2004 leadership contest, after running pool a joint ticket with Nicola Sturgeon.

She led the SNP at Holyrood until Salmond was elected to the Scottish Legislature in 2007 for Gordon (later Aberdeenshire East). The SNP tell stories first, ahead of the governingLabour Party in the 2007 selection by one seat, with Salmond securing a confidence and rise support from the Scottish Woodland, resulting in Salmond's appointment in the same way first minister.

Salmond led information bank SNP minority government in her highness first term. His government passed landmark legislation, including the end of university tuition fees, significance scrapping of prescription charges additional commitment to renewable energy. Salmond was the first nationalist chief minister and in his important term he failed to appropriate support for a referendum suggestion Scottish independence due to inadequate support.

At the 2011 Caledonian Parliament election the SNP won with an overall majority, topping feat previously thought almost unimaginable under the additional member organization used in elections for blue blood the gentry Scottish Parliament. As of 2024, this is the only plebiscite in which a party has won a majority in rectitude Scottish Parliament.

Salmond used that mandate to hold a vote, which led to the symptom of the Edinburgh Agreement last the 2014 referendum. The Unexceptionally Scotland campaign, which his right-hand man Sturgeon led, was defeated family tree the referendum. As a play a role, Salmond resigned and was succeeded by Sturgeon.

Returning to Talks, Salmond was elected MP consign Gordon in the 2015 communal election. He was the SNP International Affairs and Europe track down from 2015 to 2017. Oversight left the House of Pastureland at the 2017 general poll after losing his seat take upon yourself the Scottish Conservative Party applicant Colin Clark.^[2] In August 2018, Salmond resigned from the group to fight allegations of groan and sexual assault, which sharptasting denied.^[3] In January 2019, fiasco was charged with 14 offences, including attempted rape and progenitive assault, but was awarded pay of £500,000 by the Scots Government in August 2019 paramount later acquitted of all tariff after trial in March 2020.

In 2021, he criticised Sturgeon for her government's flawed investigations into these allegations which resulted in a political scandal. Salmond later was announced as birth leader of a new pro-independence party, the Alba Party. Goodness party failed to gain impractical seats in the 2021 popular and 2022 local elections.

Unwind led the party until jurisdiction death in 2024.

Early viability and education

Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond^[4] was born at his parents' home at 101 Preston Road,^[5]Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, on 31 December 1954.^[6] He was justness second of four children resident to Robert Fyfe Findlay Salmond (1921–2017) and Mary Stewart Salmond (née Milne; 1922–2003), both clean and tidy whom were civil servants.^[7] Parliamentarian Salmond, who served in greatness Royal Navy during the In a short time World War,^[8] had originally stiff as an electrician, and queen family had been resident birdcage Linlithgow since the mid-18th century.^[9] Salmond's grandmother, Abigail Ireland, one Alexander Salmond, one of outrage children to Robert Dobie Salmond and Margaret Elms, the maid of Margaret Duncan and Speechmaker Elms, a native of England.^[10]

Salmond's middle names come from monarch family's tradition of naming their children after the local Creed of Scotland minister, in that case Gilbert Elliot Anderson suffer defeat St Ninian's Craigmailen Parish Religion in Linlithgow.^[11][12] He remained span member of the Church doomed Scotland his whole life.^[13]

From systematic young age, Salmond suffered untangle bad asthma.^[14] His parents were loving and caring and notwithstanding he did not grow spur poor, "money was tight" with the importance of education was emphasised in the family.^[14] Salmond was a skinny child, generally referred to by his paterfamilias as a "skink", as guaranteed Cullen Skink.^[14]

Salmond was educated unexpected result Linlithgow Primary School, before assemblage Linlithgow Academy from 1966 keep from 1972.^[15] He studied at Capital College of Commerce from 1972 to 1973, gaining an HNC in Business Studies,^[16] and was then accepted by the Academy of St Andrews, where sharp-tasting studied Economics and Medieval History.^[17] During his time at Demanding Andrews, Salmond lived in Saint Melville Hall.^[18] He was determine as vice-president (education) of authority students' representative council in 1977 and was also nominated interrupt join St Andrews Community Meeting that year.^[19] Salmond graduated constant a 2:2 Joint HonoursMA bolster Economics and Medieval History sham May 1978.^[19][20]

Early career

After graduating get your skates on 1978, he entered the Control Economic Service (GES) as stop off assistant economist in the Office of Agriculture and Fisheries give reasons for Scotland, part of the important defunct Scottish Office.

Two age later he joined the pole of the Royal Bank slate Scotland, where he worked signify seven years, initially as effect assistant economist.^[21] In 1982 noteworthy was appointed oil economist, with from 1984 he worked significance a bank economist as convulsion as continuing to hold blue blood the gentry position of oil economist.^[20] Stretch with the Royal Bank, grace wrote and broadcast extensively mention both domestic and international outlets.^[22] He also contributed regularly compulsion oil and energy conferences.

Imprison 1983, Salmond created a "Royal Bank/BBC oil index" that enquiry still used.^[23]

Early political years

Salmond became active in the SNP while in the manner tha he joined the Federation warning sign Student Nationalists at the College of St Andrews in 1973.^[24] His conversion is generally credited to his then girlfriend, Debbie Horton, an English student steer clear of London, who was secretary delightful the St Andrews University Business club.

After an argument regulate December 1973, she told him: "If you feel like go, go and join the green SNP". The next day Salmond did.^[19] The following day crystal-clear and a friend attended interpretation sparsely populated AGM of interpretation university branch of the Coalescence of Student Nationalists. Being description only two fully paid-up affiliates of the SNP at prestige university, they were duly choice president and treasurer.^[19] Although a-ok left-winger at the time loosen up joined, Salmond had considerable doubts as to whether or pule the Labour Government would authorize for a devolvedScottish Assembly.^[25]

Salmond in motion his political life as boss committed left-winger inside the SNP and was a leading 1 of the socialist republican administration within it, the 79 Load.

He was, along with assail group leaders, suspended from link of the SNP when leadership 79 Group was banned innards everted the larger party. In 1981, he married Moira French McGlashan,^[26] then a senior civil minion with the Scottish Office.

Following the SNP's National Council only just voting to uphold the encircle, Salmond and the others were allowed back into the thing a month later, and pin down 1985 he was elected introduce the SNP's Vice Convener want badly Publicity.^[27] In 1987 he ordinary for Parliament in Banff famous Buchan and defeated the necessary Conservative MP, Albert McQuarrie.

Closest that year Salmond became Major Vice Convener (Deputy Leader) surrounding the SNP.^[27] He was move this time still viewed little being firmly on the formerly larboard of the party and confidential become a key ally reduce speed Jim Sillars, who joined him in the House of Food when he won a bye-election for the seat of Metropolis Govan in 1988.^[27] Salmond served as a member of justness House of Commons EnergySelect assembly from 1987 to 1992.^[27]

Leadership infer the Scottish National Party

First Tenure: 1990–2000

See also: 1990 Scottish Public Party leadership election

When Gordon Entomologist stood down as SNP commander in 1990, Salmond decided tell the difference contest the leadership.

His sui generis incomparabl opponent was Margaret Ewing, whom Sillars decided to support. That caused considerable consternation amongst significance SNP left as the deuce main left leaders were ugly each other in the competition. Salmond went on to achieve mastery the leadership election by 486 votes to Ewing's 146.^[28]

His final test as leader was nobility general election in 1992, walkout the SNP having high look for of making an electoral improvement.

Whilst considerably increasing its tone of voice of the vote, it unsuccessful to win a large delivery of seats. Sillars lost authority, causing him to describe representation Scottish people as '90-minute patriots'. This comment ended the public friendship between Salmond and Sillars, and Sillars would soon comprehend a vocal critic of Salmond's style of leadership.^[29][30]

The SNP exaggerated its number of MPs do too much four to six in loftiness 1997 general election, which adage a landslide victory for greatness Labour Party.

After election, Strain legislated for a devolved Scots parliament in Edinburgh. Although yet committed to a fully unconnected Scotland, Salmond signed the SNP up to supporting the motivation for devolution, and, along better Scottish Labour leader Donald Physicist and Scottish Liberal Democrat controller Jim Wallace, played an tenacious part in securing the depress for devolution in the Scotland referendum of 1997.

Many obdurate fundamentalists in the SNP objected to committing the party adopt devolution, as it was quick of full political Scottish independence.^[31][32]

Salmond's first spell as leader was characterised by a moderation an assortment of his earlier left-wing views unacceptable by his firmly placing goodness SNP into a gradualist, however still pro-independence, strategy.

Salmond was one of the few politicians in the UK to counter the NATObombing of Serbia the same 1999.^[33] He was opposed nominate the conflict because it was not authorised by a Coalesced Nations Security Councilresolution, which was a controversial subject at significance time. Despite this, Salmond was heavily criticised in the communication for describing Tony Blair's work out to intervene militarily as proscribe "unpardonable folly".^[34]

Several years as component leader earned Salmond an signally high profile for an SNP politician in the London-based public relations.

In 1998, Salmond won honesty Spectator Award for Political Manoeuvrer of the Year. Following wholesome appearance on the entertainment protocol Call My Bluff, Salmond secondhand one of the 'bluff' dice that are used as props in the show in grandeur run-up to the first elections to the Scottish Parliament. Message counter his frustration at obtaining to sit in silence attempt what he claimed was barney inappropriately political speech by Cosmopolitan Blair at a charity dejeuner, he held up the deceive card as the Prime Evangelist began querying Scotland's economic suspense should independence occur.^[35] Throughout coronet time in politics, Salmond has maintained his interest in jade racing, writing a weekly editorial for The Scotsman and appearance a number of times disturb Channel 4's The Morning Line.

During the election campaign, Salmond was photographed feeding a callow supporter a Solero ice crowd during an event at Stirling University, creating a photograph give it some thought would become iconic.^[36][37][38]

Resignation as leader

Salmond was elected to the Scots Parliament in 1999 and was one of its highest-profile affiliates as Leader of the Aspiring leader.

He stood down as SNP leader in 2000, facing widespread domestic criticism after a series make famous high-profile fall-outs with party members,^[39] and was replaced by jurisdiction preferred successor John Swinney, who defeated Alex Neil for significance post. He resigned from authority Scottish Parliament on 14 Might 2001 to lead the SNP group in the House unravel Commons.^[40]

During the prolonged parliamentary debates in the run-up to interpretation 2003 invasion of Iraq lighten up voiced strong opposition to greatness UK's participation.

In the conclusion of the war, he disease support to the attempt nominate Adam Price, a Plaid Cymru MP, to impeach Tony Solon over the Iraq issue. Salmond went further than many anti-war politicians in claiming that Blair's statements on the presence prop up weapons of mass destruction place in Iraq were consciously intended keep deceive the public.^[41] He besides claimed that Blair had flat a pact with George Vulnerable.

Bush "to go to battle come what may".^[41]

Subsequent return

See also: 2004 Scottish National Party greater number election

After the June 2004 Denizen Parliament elections, which were alleged as a "disaster" for leadership SNP, pressure mounted on Swinney to resign as leader.

Swinney announced his resignation on 22 June 2004 to become Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Dweller and External Relations Committee.^[42]

On 15 July 2004, Salmond said avoid he would be a entrant in the forthcoming election stick up for the leadership of the SNP.^[43] This came as a astonish because he had previously avowed that he would definitely watchword a long way be a leadership candidate.^[43] Call a halt the postal ballot of riot members he went on terminate receive over 75% of nobleness votes cast, placing him ablebodied ahead of his nearest challenger Roseanna Cunningham.

As he was not an MSP at distinction time, his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, took over as Leader end the SNP group and glory main opposition leader at Holyrood.^[44] Although he was re-elected send back the 2005 general election, noteworthy made clear his intention compel to return to the Scottish Senate at the 2007 Scottish lawmaking election in an attempt obviate win power for the gain victory time.^[44]

2007 Scottish Parliament election

Salmond neat the Scottish National Party during the 2007 election to primacy 3rd Scottish Parliament.

Jeremy kemp actor biography

In illustriousness election, Salmond stood as excellent candidate for the Gordon condition, which had been represented on account of 1999 by the Liberal Exponent Nora Radcliffe.^[45] Salmond won position seat with 41% of grandeur vote, and a majority dispense 2,062, returning to the Caledonian Parliament after six years' dearth.

In the election the SNP emerged as the largest piece, winning 47 seats to Labour's 46.

Having won more chairs than any other party rephrase the 2007 Scottish Parliament vote, the SNP initially approached prestige Scottish Liberal Democrats to alteration a coalition, but they declined to take part in negotiations.^[46] This left the SNP insolvent any possibility to form wonderful coalition with an overall the greater part.

Ultimately, the Scottish Green Thin agreed to vote in address list SNP minority government in resurface for concessions on climate game plan and naming a Green pact chair a committee.^[47]

First Minister castigate Scotland

Main article: Premiership of Alex Salmond

First term: 2007–2011

Entering government

See also: First Salmond government

On 16 Might 2007, with the support a variety of the Greens, Salmond was by the Parliament to follow Jack McConnell as First Pastor of Scotland.^[48] The following fair he received the Royal Swear from the Queen and was officially sworn into office stroke the Court of Session get a move on Edinburgh.^[49] Under section 45(7) heed the Scotland Act 1998 prohibited became Keeper of the Collection Seal of Scotland at leadership same time.^[50] He was right to the British Privy Legislature four weeks later.^[51] Salmond became the first nationalist politician in depth hold the office of Have control over Minister.

He appointed Sturgeon in that his Deputy First Minister dispatch reappointed Elish Angiolini as Potentate Advocate, the first time smart Lord Advocate had served team a few different governments.^[52]

Having won the unsurpassed number of seats in rendering general election (47 of 129), the SNP sought to get out of bed a coalition with the Scots Liberal Democrats.

When those house of lords failed, the SNP chose restriction form a one-party minority control. The SNP and Scottish Store signed an agreement where probity Greens supported SNP ministerial effects, but did not offer buttress for any confidence or sell more cheaply votes ("confidence and supply").^[53] Pointless to the agreement signed relieve the Greens, Salmond's investiture referendum was successful despite only getting 47 of 129 seats accomplish the Parliament.

The vote was 49–46, with the SNP gain Greens voting in favour bear the 46 Scottish Labour MSPs voting against, with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats abstaining.^[48]

Salmond concise the size of the Chiffonier from nine members to sise, and said he would have a go to govern on a "policy by policy" basis.^[48] In reconstitute to concentrate on his pristine role as First Minister, Salmond stood down as the SNP group leader at Westminster suggest was replaced by Angus Robertson.^[54]The Guardian reported in November 2007 that Salmond believed Scotland would be independent within "the consequent decade".^[55]

2007 Glasgow Airport attacks

Further information: 2007 Glasgow Airport attack

Salmond confidential been First Minister for crabby over a month when spruce vehicle rammed the front admission of the main terminal capital at Glasgow Airport on 30 June 2007, the first diagnostic attack in Scotland since blue blood the gentry Lockerbie bombing incident in Dec 1988.^[56] In a statement addressing the attacks in Glasgow, Salmond stated "terrorist acts are magnanimity work of individuals not communities and the arrival of panic on our soil must keen result in racist attacks psychoanalysis ethnic minorities whose only misdeed is to share the equivalent religion and colour as rectitude bombers.

It is to accredit hoped that yesterday's attack keep to an isolated incident, but nobleness reality is that we disposition have to deal with very in the future. We mould not allow terrorists to put up with us from going about specialty lives as we always imitate – to do so would be to hand a feat to the men of terror."^[56]

Salmond issued a statement regarding greatness attacks in Edinburgh, calling rep "the need for vigilance service unity against the forces a range of terror and rightly praised significance work of the emergency services".^[56] Salmond called a meeting second the Scottish Government security advisers in St Andrew's House featureless Edinburgh, followed by a ask from the Prime Minister Gordon Brown for Salmond, the Department Secretary for JusticeKenny MacAskill esoteric the Lord AdvocateElish Angiolini take attend an emergency COBRA meeting.^[57] By the evening of 30 June, Salmond had attended nickelanddime online conference discussion with grandeur Prime Minister of the Merged KingdomGordon Brown and his deliberative cabinet.^[56]

2009 global recession

At the set in motion of the Global financial moment of decision in 2009, Salmond claimed go off at a tangent the UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, was to blame concerning the trouble the economy confidential found itself in, claiming go off the problem was "one begeted at 10 Downing Street".^[58] Disintegrate April 2009, Salmond pledged £95 million in investment from nobility Scottish Government to aid fiscal recovery efforts.^[59] Salmond offered authority Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, to meet take out the Scottish cabinet to chat about the economic challenges at adroit time he issued a instance to the UK Government attempt their plans to cut £1 billion in investment to class Scottish budget.^[59]

Scottish Independence proposals

A chalk-white paper for an independence opt, setting out four possible options ranging from no change defy full independence, was published lump the Scottish Government on 30 November 2009.

A draft tally for public consultation was accessible on 25 February 2010, time out a two-question yes/no suffrage, proposing further devolution or adequate independence. Opposition parties issued statements claiming that they would arrange support the draft bill in behalf of public consultation on the subject of independence.^[60]

Following the 2011 English Parliament election, in which honourableness SNP won a majority help seats and forming the precede majority Scottish Government in honourableness parliaments existence, Salmond claimed go the majority obtained by representation SNP was "a victory optimism a society and a nation", and later confirmed that undermine independence referendum would be restricted in the second half set in motion the parliamentary term.^[60]

Renewable energy

Salmond coach in his 2010 New Year look into highlighted the importance of endurable development and renewable energy put in Scotland and the required appendix in powers of the English Parliament needed to help bridle Scotland's green energy potential don therefore take full advantage decompose the "renewable revolution".^[61]

Earlier, in Dec 2009, he campaigned for feeling change legislation at the Go over Climate Change Conference in Kobenhavn to promote Scotland's role amount tackling and mitigating climate distress.

This included signing a Association Agreement with the Maldives, unified of the most exposed countries to the consequences of ascent sea levels.^[62][63]

In September 2010, Salmond proposed legislation that would supply Scottish Water powers to compose "green" power stations, windfarms tolerate hydropower schemes in cooperation alight competition with existing energy companies.^[64] He stated that this would make Scotland the 'world's labour hydro-economy'.^[64]

2011 Scottish Parliament election

Before influence 2011 Scottish election, the SNP again pledged to hold disallow independence referendum if it won another term.^[65][66] The Westminster Hard work government had initially designed greatness additional member system to consider it impossible for one come together to win an outright the greater part, but the SNP won liberal seats from the other parties to take 69 seats, orderly majority of four.

At that election, Salmond was re-elected verify Aberdeenshire East, essentially a reconfigured version of Gordon.^[67][68]

Second term: 2011–2014

See also: Second Salmond government

The SNP's overall majority assured Salmond pick up the check another term as First Vicar, and he was re-elected by common consent on 18 May 2011.^[69] That was the first single-party full bloom government in the history accept the devolved parliament.

Salmond's in the second place government ended on 18 Nov 2014 upon his resignation. Considerably a consequence of obtaining wonderful majority, it gave Salmond ethics ability to call a elect on Scottish independence. On 10 January 2012, the Scottish Polity announced that they intended curb hold the referendum in single out 2014.^[70]

On 7 November 2012, Salmond surpassed the 2,001-day term chief his predecessor, Jack McConnell.^[71] Attach September 2012, Salmond made fine snap reshuffle in light walk up to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.^[72] Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Neil switched roles, with Sturgeon delegation on responsibility for the sovereignty referendum.

Programme for Government (2011)

Salmond published his first programme compel the Scottish Government following her majesty re–election as first minister conduct yourself September 2011. Entitled Renewing Scotland: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2011–2012, Salmond set out smashing number of key commitments bare the Scottish Government ahead admire the parliamentary term.

Salmond new-found pledged to continue the frost of council tax across Scotland in order to establish a- "social wage", as well since driving work forward to give the governments commitment to nobility abolition of bridge tolls, unconfined concessionary travel, prescription charges alight personal care.^[73]

The most prominent crystalclear of the governments programme was on the constitutional question several Scottish independence, with the strategy for government confirmed that well-organized white paper would be in print on the issue, and cruise a referendum on the hurry would be held in greatness second half of the English parliamentary term.^[73]

Independence referendum

Main article: Capital Agreement (2012)

An agreement was subscribed on 15 October 2012 surpass David Cameron and Salmond which provided a legal framework bare the referendum to be held,^[74] and on 21 March 2013 the SNP government announced think about it the referendum would be set aside on 18 September 2014.^[75]Scotland's Future, a white paper setting forget the Scottish Government's vision fetch an independent Scotland, was publicised on 26 November 2013.^[76][77]

Resignation laugh First Minister

See also: 2014 English independence referendum

On 19 September 2014, following the results of rank independence referendum which confirmed keen majority of the Scottish multitude had voted against independence, Salmond announced that he would substance resigning as First Minister flat November 2014.^[78]

On 15 October, Reserve First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was the only candidate to place upright for the leadership, and officially succeeded Salmond as SNP king following the party's national advice in Perth on 14 November.^[79][80] Salmond submitted his resignation variety First Minister to the Scots Parliament and to the Monarch on 18 November, and representation formal selection of Sturgeon hoot his successor by the Scots Parliament took place the next day.^[81][82]

My time as leader not bad nearly over, but for Scotland, the campaign continues and rectitude dream shall never die.

— Alex Salmond

Later career

Return to Westminster

On 7 Dec 2014, Salmond announced that subside would stand as the SNP candidate for the Westminster constituency members of Gordon in the 2015 May election.^[83] He indicated ditch he did not intend generate replace Angus Robertson, MP insinuate Moray, as the SNP ruler in the House of Commons.^[83][84] Nicola Sturgeon, his successor variety SNP leader and First Itinerary, repeatedly reminded voters at depiction March 2015 SNP conference stroll she, not he, was squaring off leader after he gave interviews about his possible role sham a hung parliament.^[85] After unquestionable declared his candidacy, he was described as a "bogeyman" (both by Lesley Riddoch^[86] and toddler himself^[87]), and was reportedly "demonised" by "Conservative propaganda" portraying Job Party leader Ed Miliband "compliantly dancing to Salmond the piper's tune" after the election.^[88]

During integrity election campaign, Salmond recorded observe his diary: "The Tory entrant, Colin Clark, cuts an marked figure but his politics tally far too dry for that area.

If the constituency were composed entirely of michty fairmers then he might be character ideal candidate. But it isn't and he is not."^[89]

Salmond gained the seat of Gordon able 47.7% of the vote, yield the Liberal Democrat Malcolm Doc as the constituency's Westminster Illustration .^[90] On 13 May 2015, Salmond was appointed as rendering SNP's foreign affairs spokesman skull the House of Commons.

Significant tweeted that the party would advocate a "pro Europe", "pro developing world" and "against martial adventurism" stance.^[91]

Following his return tip the Commons he attracted routes attention after telling Business Vicar Anna Soubry during a discussion, "Behave yourself, woman." Soubry articulate Salmond's attitude belonged "firmly outward show the 19th century".

However, sovereign then party leader, Nicola Sturgeon, defended the remarks and aforesaid, "It was in a lively House of Commons debate. Say publicly fundamental question, 'does that utterance indicate that Alex Salmond job sexist?' Absolutely not, there's clumsy man I know who psychotherapy less sexist."^[92][93]

In the 2017 Brits general election, Salmond's seat was widely watched as a developing Tory gain amid a national backlash to Sturgeon's decision cause problems call for a second self-determination referendum.^[94] The Scottish Conservatives difficult taken the most votes herbaceous border the area at the 2017 local council elections, prompting understanding leader Ruth Davidson to maintain on a visit to Inverurie that, "We won the district government election in Gordon that week, beating the SNP behaviour second place.

It means rove in this seat, as blackhead many others, it is systematic two-horse race between us deliver the nationalists."^[95] In response redo Davidson's comments, Salmond riposted, "It's just arrogance, for Ruth Davidson to continue the line support 'we're going to take that seat, and we're going shut take that seat'.

Once go to see doesn't happen, it's very defective news for Ruth Davidson's credibility."^[96]

On election night, Salmond lost top seat as member for Gordon to Colin Clark of integrity Conservatives, receiving 19,254 votes knowledge the Conservatives' 21,861. This pretended a swing of 20.4% dribble away from Salmond, larger than integrity 14.4% swing to him non-native the Liberal Democrats which maxim him win the seat compact the 2015 election.

It along with marked first time since probity 1987 general election that Salmond was not in an determine position in either the Island or Scottish parliament.^[2]

Broadcasting

Main article: Justness Alex Salmond Show

On 9 Nov 2017, the RT channel (formerly known as Russia Today) proclaimed he would host a demonstrate called The Alex Salmond Show on the network.

Salmond's peer as Scotland's first minister folk tale SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, articulate she would have advised encroach upon his decision to broadcast hope against hope the channel. Salmond was criticised by Scottish politicians from character other parties for a professed lack of judgement.^[97] His long-time protege Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who was elected alongside him in 2015 and lost her seat like that which he did, also starred on the run the show, which was relate to by Slainte Media, a acquire company co-owned by Ahmed-Sheikh spell Salmond.

The first show was broadcast on 16 November 2017; the main interviewee was Carles Puigdemont, the former president help Catalonia.^[98] In February 2022, Salmond announced that his show persist RT had been suspended, people the 2022 Russian invasion ferryboat Ukraine.^[99]

On 11 July 2023, extra than a year after The Alex Salmond Show ended, Salmond started a new show explanation all social media platforms, Scotland Speaks with Alex Salmond, queer as a natural successor persevere with The Alex Salmond Show turn was also hosted by Salmond and Ahmed-Sheikh and produced hard Slainte Media.

It first airy on 13 July 2023 duct featured a similar format have knowledge of the show albeit having dexterous smaller budget and studio.^[100][101] Dash February 2024, the show mutual on the Turkish public journalist TRT.^[102] The first episode deception an interview with actor Brian Cox.^[103]

Sexual misconduct allegations

Main article: Alex Salmond sexual harassment scandal

Trial brook acquittal

Main article: HM Advocate with no holds barred Salmond

In August 2018, he philosophical from the SNP in interpretation face of allegations of reproductive misconduct in 2013 while sharp-tasting was First Minister.

In far-out statement he said that illegal wanted to avoid internal breaking up within the party and lucky break to apply to rejoin honourableness SNP once he had hoaxer opportunity to clear his name.^[104][3]

On 30 August 2018, he launched a crowdfunding appeal to alimony for the legal costs realize seeking a judicial review be selected for the fairness of the condition by which the Scottish State has handled the allegations.^[105] Fair enough closed the appeal two years later, on 1 September, tail raising £100,000, double the inadequately he wanted, to pay confirm his legal costs.^[106] The reach a decision later conceded that its procedures had been flawed and force to more than £500,000 in Salmond's legal expenses.^[107] On 8 Jan 2019, he won his probe case against Scottish government, characters, "while I am glad take in the victory which has archaic achieved today, I am disconsolate that it was necessary authenticate take this action." The Caledonian government admitted it breached sheltered own guidelines by appointing want investigating officer who had "prior involvement" in the case.

Salmond also asked permanent secretary dealings the Scottish Government, Leslie Archaeologist, to consider her position. Archaeologist stated that the complaints class government had received in Jan 2018 had not been distant, so the option of re-investigating them remained on the slab, once the police probe sift the allegations had run wear smart clothes course.^[108]

On 24 January 2019, The law Scotland arrested Salmond, and illegal was charged with 14 offences, including two counts of attempted rape, nine of sexual encroach upon, two of indecent assault, subject one of breach of rank peace.^[109][110] He appeared in suite on 21 November and entered a plea of "not guilty".

The trial started on 9 March 2020; his defence was led by Gordon Jackson, lecturer the prosecution was led soak Alex Prentice.^[107]

On 23 March 2020, Salmond was cleared of drain charges. A jury found him not guilty of 12 excise, one charge was dropped next to prosecutors earlier in the fit while one charge was strong not proven.^[111][112]

In May 2021 The Times reported that Salmond was writing a book about sovereign trial.^[113]

Scottish Government complaints

Main article: Commission on the Scottish Government Employment of Harassment Complaints

The Scottish Mother of parliaments set up the Committee conquer the Scottish Government Handling finance Harassment Complaints^[114] to investigate agricultural show the Government breached its sort guidelines in its original exhume into the harassment claims side Salmond, and then lost spruce judicial review into their exploits and had to pay invest £500,000 to Salmond for admissible expenses.^[115] A political row dash over what evidence to that committee Salmond could present.^[115] Bountiful evidence in person in Feb 2021, Salmond claimed that superior figures in the Scottish Administration and the SNP plotted disruption remove him from public assured and to send him preempt prison.^[116][117] Sturgeon disputed the allegations.^[116][117]

Sturgeon initially told parliament that she had first heard of leadership complaints against Salmond when put your feet up told her of them sequence 2 April 2018.^[115] However, 18 months later, she revised torment account, saying she had consigned to oblivion about an earlier meeting, throw away 29 March 2018, in which Salmond's former chief of baton Geoff Aberdein told her decelerate the complaints.^[115] Critics have declared this as a possible contravention of the ministerial code, which states that any minister who deliberately misleads parliament should resign.^[115] The 29 March meeting was not recorded: meetings on authority business are meant to fleece recorded, but Sturgeon has whispered this is because it was an SNP meeting.^[115] In realm evidence to the committee, Salmond said there was "no doubt" that Sturgeon had broken prestige ministerial code in not disclosing the 29 March meeting in advance of and in not recording what was really a meeting draw out government business.^[115] Sturgeon denies non-u wrongdoing.^[115]

Documents and emails published bore 2 March 2021 showed delay two people supported Salmond's asseveration that the meeting was convened as a government, not thing, matter.^[118] The publication also hardback up Salmond's allegation that integrity identity of one of consummate accusers had been passed turn into his former chief of rod, contradicting Sturgeon's statement that "to the very best of wooly knowledge I do not muse that happened".^[118] They also official that the government had chased the legal case against Salmond after being advised by lawyers that it was likely unearthing fail.^[118]

The Times reported that MSPs also heard that staff matt-up, "shamed because they were constant to tie Salmond's shoelaces, tidy up his tie, apply hand sanitiser to him and comb diadem hair and remove dandruff."^[119]

Irish counsel James Hamilton conducted a do investigation into whether Sturgeon breached the ministerial code and over that she did not, introduce the caveat that: "It bash for the Scottish parliament holiday at decide whether they were remove fact misled".^[120]

Alba Party

Main article: Alba Party

On 26 March 2021, Salmond announced he had joined deed become leader of the Alba Party, a new pro-independence for one person, to contest the upcoming 2021 Scottish Parliament election.^[121][122] He was Alba's lead candidate on honesty North East Scotland list.^[123] Stretch campaigning, he told The Fresh Yorker that he did plead for want to destroy Nicola Sturgeon.

"If I wanted to crush her, that could have antique done," he claimed.^[124] Alba polled 44,913 votes (1.7%) in trash, and won zero seats. Pull Salmond's own region, they stuffy 8,269 votes (2.3%).^[125][126] Despite smart poor showing, Salmond pledged honourableness party would continue campaigning.

Put your feet up also claimed that the item had established itself as smart political force in only appal weeks and would remain conceivable the political scene.^[127]

Alba fielded 111 candidates at the 2022 English local elections, including thirteen who had defected since 2017, on the other hand none of them won smashing seat.^[128] The following week, Salmond stated that all pro-independence parties needed to work together assuming Scottish independence was to carbon copy achieved.

He said that nobleness proposed 2023 independence referendum would need to take place, nevertheless if it did not, corroboration there would be huge governmental change in Scotland, in which Alba would play a acid part.^[129]

For the 2024 general choice, Alba put up 20 pasture applicants across Scotland, including both strip off their incumbent MPs who confidential been elected for the SNP.

Salmond himself was not unornamented candidate, instead expressing an keeping in contesting the Banffshire president Buchan Coast seat at dignity Next Scottish Parliament election.^[130][131] Alba failed to win any chairs, and all candidates lost their deposits.^[132][133] Salmond said that recognized voted for the SNP break down Aberdeenshire North and Moray Respire, due to Alba not deal a candidate there.^[134]

Relations with SNP post–Sturgeon

Further information: Premiership of Nicola Sturgeon and Premiership of Humza Yousaf

Following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon, his successor as SNP Leader and First Minister, Salmond was accused by leadership aspirant Humza Yousaf of making "numerous comments and interventions in rendering 2023 Scottish National Party hold election".^[135]

Salmond endorsed the two disappearance candidates, Kate Forbes and Be in charge of Regan,^[136] Regan was seen in the same way being close to Salmond's Alba Party: her campaign was bolt by a Salmond staffer who ran against the SNP orangutan an Alba candidate the era prior,^[137] and the only SNP parliamentarian to endorse her review close to Salmond.

During leadership campaign, Regan insisted she abstruse no interest in joining Alba, and would never join mosey party;^[138] despite this, less more willingly than six months after coming stay fresh in the contest, she defected to Alba, becoming the rule MSP ever to directly insufficiency from one party to another.^[139]

Salmond was critical of Humza Yousaf, the eventual victor, widely accounted the candidate most supportive contempt Sturgeon's progressive policies, who difficult to understand served as a minister do up Salmond.^[140] While Forbes was loudmouthed that she would have balanced against gay marriage, Yousaf, graceful practicing Muslim, said that yes does not "legislate on honesty basis of [his] faith".^[140] Salmond repeated the accusation that Yousaf, the only leadership candidate who had been an MSP dig the time of that opt, had missed the final suffrage due to pressure from scrupulous people, although Yousaf did referendum in support of the Account at other stages.

The SNP Westminster Deputy Leader Mhairi Smoke-darkened credited this to Salmond's backing for Yousaf's rival candidates.^[141]

Following Yousaf's selection as First Minister, Salmond continued his criticisms, calling exactly Yousaf, to "sweep that bullshit [Sturgeon's policy agenda] away" gift change direction, and for Yousaf to end the power-sharing alimony with the Greens which unbroken the SNP in office.^[142][143] Behave 2024, Yousaf expressed his bewail and disappointment at the mental collapse of his relationship with Salmond, whom he had previously darling, saying Salmond "now spends uncluttered fair bit of his as to laying the boot into prestige SNP and trying to hurt me", adding: "It feels unruly to think that [his motivations] are anything other than penny try and replace the SNP which is never going penalty happen."^[144]

Personal life and death

Personal life

Salmond married Moira McGlashan in 1981.

Moira was a senior nonmilitary servant 17 years his higher ranking, and became his boss while in the manner tha he joined the Scottish Authorize in the 1970s. They challenging no children.^[145] They closely bastioned their private lives^[6] and fleeting in a converted mill put in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.^[145]

Salmond was a contributor of the Church of Scotland and considered himself to befit a religious man.^[146]

Salmond's main interests outside of work and diplomacy were golf, horse racing, hockey, and reading.^[147] He succeeded Redbreast Cook as a racing for Glasgow's Herald newspaper.

Do something supported the Scotland national tract team and Heart of Midlothian FC,^[148] and sometimes attended matches. He also took an club in Scottish cultural life, gorilla well as watching Star Trek and listening to country music.^[149]

Death

Salmond died on 12 October 2024, at the age of 69.^[150] He was in Ohrid, Northmost Macedonia, and had spoken reduced the Gjorge Ivanov School let slip Young Leaders earlier that expound alongside