Nicola Sturgeon leads tributes to ‘mentor’ Alex Salmond following SNP titan’s death

Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to her “mentor” and political titan Alex Salmond following his death aged 69.

The pair had a troubled relationship in recent years but had worked closely together taking the SNP to power and during the 2014 independence referendum.

Salmond was one of the biggest figures in modern Scottish politics – he had been the country’s first minister for seven-and-a-half years and led the SNP for two decades.

Sturgeon served her political apprenticeship during Salmond’s first term as leader and was his deputy for a decade before taking over as First Minister herself.

INVERURIE, SCOTLAND - APRIL 18: (EDITORS NOTE: This image is a re-crop of #470190946) SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond campaign in the Gordon constituency on April 18, 2015 in Inverurie, Scotland. The First Minister joined Alex Salmond to highlight the fact that only the SNP represent all parts of Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) — INVERURIE, SCOTLAND – APRIL 18: (EDITORS NOTE: This image is a re-crop of #470190946) SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond campaign in the Gordon constituency on April 18, 2015 in Inverurie, Scotland. The First Minister joined Alex Salmond to highlight the fact that only the SNP represent all parts of Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images

Their split was the biggest ever seen in Scottish politics.

The fallout led to a civil war within the SNP as the party’s two most significant leaders fought an increasingly bitter battle, which appeared to start in a dispute over process and became a head-on clash over their respective integrity.

Sturgeon, who succeeded Salmond as First Minister in 2014, 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.”

Salmond had been giving a talk in North Macedonia on Saturday morning.

News of his death broke early on Saturday evening. Political leaders across the UK have been paying tribute to one of the most significant figures in modern Scottish history.