Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond dies

Tributes have poured in from across the policital spectrum, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing him as being a "monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics".

Salmond's succcessor as first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said he had been her mentor and that "for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics".

King Charles said he and the Queen were "greatly saddened" to hear of Salmond's sudden death, adding: "His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service

"We extend our deep condolences to his family and loved ones at this time".

Salmond led the pro-independence side ahead of the referendum in 2014, and resigned as first minister after Scottish voters backed remaining in the UK by 55% to 45%.

He had led the SNP to power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007, having previously been the party's leader between 1990 and 2000.

Salmond, Scotland's first pro-independence first minister, then led the SNP to an unprecedented majority in the election four years later - which paved the way for the referendum to be held.

Under his leadership, the Scottish government also introduced popular policies including free NHS prescriptions and free university tuition fees for Scottish students.

After quitting as first minister, he had a spectacular fallout with Sturgeon over her government's mishandling of harassment complaints against him.

Salmond was also cleared of serious sexual offence charges after a trial in Edinburgh in 2020.

He had been charged with 13 offences, including attempted rape, but was acquitted of all of the charges against him after two weeks of evidence at the High Court.

The women who made the allegations against Salmond - which dated back to his time as first minister - had included an SNP politician, a party worker and several current and former Scottish government civil servants and officials.

During his evidence to the court, he said the claims made about his alleged conduct were "deliberate fabrications for a political purpose" or "exaggerations".

In his closing speech to the jury, Salmond's lawyer said the former first minister "could certainly have been a better man" but had not committed any crimes.

After quitting the SNP, Salmond set up an alternative independence supporting party, called Alba, of which he was the leader.

He also hosted his own show on the controversial Russian broadcaster RT, but suspended it following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.