Scotland’s pro-independence leader Alex Salmond resigned as first minister and leader of his political party on Friday, hours after Scots voted to remain in the United Kingdom.
Salmond, 59, told reporters at a news conference that he was proud of the campaign and the record turnout for Thursday’s referendum. “For Scotland the campaign is not over and the dream will never die,” he said.
Salmond’s impassioned plea to launch a new nation fell short, with Scots choosing instead the security of remaining in union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The referendum’s result prevented a rupture of a 307-year union with England bringing a huge sigh of relief to Britain's economic and political establishment.