Alex Salmond mourns loss of father, aged 95

THE father of former First Minister Alex Salmond has died aged 95, it was announced yesterday.

Robert Salmond, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, passed away ‘peacefully’ at a home for ex-servicemen in Renfrewshire on Monday night.

The father-of-four, pictured with his politician son, leaves behind a large family, which includes five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Last night, the Salmond family said he was an ‘inspiration’ to all of his relatives.

His son, who was First Minister between 2007 and 2014, said a funeral service will be held in his father’s local church in Linlithgow, West Lothian, next week.

Both he and his sister Gail Hendry are standing as candidates tomorrow – in the General Election and a Holyrood byelection respectively.

Mr Salmond said: ‘It is a very sad week for all the family and Gail and I have taken time out from our campaigns.’