Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland, died suddenly at the age of 69 while attending a conference in North Macedonia.

Salmond, who led Scotland between 2007 and 2014, was pronounced dead at the Inex Olgica hotel near Ohrid after collapsing, reportedly due to a heart attack.

Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with Nicola Sturgeon and Sir Keir Starmer among those paying respects.

Salmond played a key role in Scotland's pro-independence movement, achieving a majority for the SNP in 2011 and leading the 2014 independence referendum.

Despite his political achievements, his career ended in controversy after a court acquitted him of serious sexual offences in 2020.

He later founded the Alba Party and was involved in a public fallout with Sturgeon, his former deputy.

Salmond's death has prompted sympathies from international leaders, including King Charles and former political opponents.