Alex Salmond, Sean Connery and the student project I'll never forget

I FEEL moved to write a tribute for Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland, who sadly passed away on Saturday from a heart attack at the age of 69.

I first got to know Alex after he resigned as first minister and became an MP in May 2015. At the time, I was studying international relations at Queen Mary College, University of London, and running a university journal I had founded, Casual Politics. We livestreamed all our interviews on YouTube, and I was fortunate enough to interview Alex on several occasions.

During our first interview, he started by saying something that touched me deeply: "I've been waiting all my political career to be on Casual Politics." For a 22-year-old interviewer, this kind gesture left a lasting impression on both me and our viewers. After the interview, he offered to accompany me to Westminster station, as there were demonstrators outside Parliament. His warmth and generosity of spirit were evident that day.

(Image: Amirreza Tayebi) The last time I interviewed Alex was shortly after he moved to a larger office in the Houses of Parliament. He had just released his book Scotland Forever, and as I walked in, he was on a speakerphone call. The voice on the other end was unmistakable, a thick Scottish accent I’d known since childhood. I couldn’t believe my ears—it was Sir Sean Connery. Alex had called to thank him for lending his iconic voice to his audiobook.

Star-struck, I could barely get out a "good afternoon". A part of me wanted to say "good afternoon, Mr Bond," but I held back. Connery, ever the legend, praised Alex for putting Scotland’s priorities back on the map and called him an asset both to the nation and to the world. I could barely process the moment. After the call, Alex smiled and, in his usual charismatic way, said, "That’s a hard act to follow, but let’s crack on with our interview," and he was as charming as ever.

At the end of that interview, Alex gifted me a signed copy of his book with the inscription: "To Amir, Scotland Forever." Whether you agreed with his politics or not, it is impossible to deny the profound impact Alex Salmond had on British and Scottish politics. He was one of the most charismatic, articulate, and humane politicians of a bygone era.

Alex Salmond will be sorely missed, and I, for one, will always treasure the time I had with him.

It was a privilege to know him and to experience first-hand the kindness, humour, and conviction that defined his career.