Speaker's Statement

In a solemn statement delivered in the House of Commons, a minister paid tribute to the late Alex Salmond, a former Member of Parliament and First Minister of Scotland. The minister noted that Salmond had served the people of Scotland for over 30 years, both in the UK Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, and had been a tireless campaigner for Scottish independence, securing the agreement for the 2014 referendum and playing a leading role in the "yes" campaign. The minister highlighted that Salmond's departure from the House of Commons in 2017 marked the first time in more than three decades that he was not serving in an elected role, either in Westminster or Holyrood. The minister described Salmond's sudden passing at the weekend as a "complete shock" and expressed that the thoughts of the entire House would be with his family and friends during this difficult time. The minister announced that there would be a short time for tributes following the upcoming Defence questions, allowing members of the House to honor Salmond's legacy and contributions to Scottish politics over the course of his distinguished career.