Salmond's family plan private funeral service as wealthy friend pays for plane to bring body home

Salmond's body will be flown back to Scotland in a chartered plane paid for by a private individual.

The former First Minister's family yesterday announced they have received support from an unnamed donor to help repatriate his body from North Macedonia.

The private flight will transport the body from the city of Ohrid where Mr Salmond suffered a fatal heart attack during a lunch event to Aberdeen Airport in the coming days.

A number of options had been explored by the Scottish Government before family members confirmed they were able to make arrangements with the support of a private individual.

Scottish Government officials were unable to say if there would be any costs related to the repatriation picked up by the taxpayer.

Mr Salmond's wife Moira and other family members are now beginning to make preparations for a funeral and also a wider memorial service which is expected to be attended by a wide range of current and former politicians from across the UK.

Kenny MacAskill, the acting leader of the Alba Party and a former SNP Justice Secretary in Mr Salmond's government, said: 'The family of Alex Salmond would like to put on record their appreciation to the North Macedonian Government for expediting the necessary procedures to allow Alex's body to be released.

'The family would also like to thank the UK and Scottish Governments for their endeavours to put in place the swift arrangements to bring Alex Salmond home to Scotland.

'The family are incredibly grateful for the support which is being provided by a private citizen to charter a private plane to allow Alex's body to come home to Scotland.

It brings a great deal of comfort to Moira and other members of the family to know that he will soon be home with them.

'The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time and will be making an announcement in due course about the funeral arrangements and a memorial service to honour the life of Alex Salmond.'

Mr Salmond died on Saturday after collapsing at a lunch event connected to the Ohrid Cultural Diplomacy Forum in North Macedonia.

According to an eyewitness, he had been helping Alba chairman Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who was also among the speakers at the conference, to open a bottle ketchup when he collapsed.

Officials at the Alba Party had been pushing for Mr Salmond's body to be brought back to Scotland in an RAF plane, which is normally only offered to members of the Royal Family. But reports suggest that this would have cost around £600,000.

The Scottish Government had explored a number of options before the private individual agreed to pay.

It has been in talks with the Foreign Office since Saturday about arrangements.

A chartered flight is likely to ensure the body is returned to Scotland much faster than if the family had to rely on arrangements made through Mr Salmond's travel insurance.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The loss of a loved one is a difficult time for any family, made more complex when they have passed away overseas.

'Over the last few days the Scottish Government and UK Government have been engaging with Alex Salmond's family and working closely together in accordance with their wishes, to ensure the swift and dignified repatriation of the former First Minister to Scotland.

'Having explored a number of options, the family have now made arrangements for this to take place with the support of a private citizen.

'The Scottish Government continues to engage with Mr Salmond's family, and we stand ready to offer further advice and support, should it be required.'

The Prime Minister and other political leaders yesterday paid tribute to Mr Salmond in the House of Commons.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Alex Salmond was a monumental figure in Scottish and UK politics. He leaves a lasting legacy.

I know that the deepest condolences of the whole House are with Moira, his family and his loved ones.'