Salmond quits after Scots reject independence from UK

Salmond has resigned as leader of his party. He will quit as the country’s first minister after Scotland voted to reject independence and stay in the United Kingdom.

Salmond said he would refuse the nomination as leader of the Scottish National Party at an annual conference in November and that he would then resign as first minister.

“I think the party in the parliament will benefit from new leadership,” said Salmond in a televised statement. “For me as a leader of my time is nearly over but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die.”

Salmond’s dream has always been an independent Scotland, a goal for which he has worked his entire adult life with nationalist passion to achieve.