Alex Salmond's body to be returned to Scotland - with private individual paying for flight after request to use RAF rejected

A private individual is paying for a flight to repatriate Alex Salmond's body after the Foreign Office rejected requests for the RAF to get involved.

The former first minister and SNP leader collapsed and died after delivering a speech on Scottish independence in North Macedonia on Saturday.

The UK and Scottish governments had been in talks about the return of Mr Salmond's body.

David Davis, Conservative MP and close friend of Mr Salmond, had led calls for the armed forces to get involved.

A private aircraft is now being chartered, which is being paid for by a private citizen. The flight is expected to land in Aberdeen.

Officials are arranging the final logistics on Wednesday afternoon.

Kenny MacAskill, acting leader of the Alba Party, said Mr Salmond's widow and family were "incredibly grateful" for the support.

He said: "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."

Mr MacAskill also expressed the Salmond family's appreciation to the North Macedonian government, for "expediting" the process of releasing Mr Salmond's body and the Scottish and UK governments for their work in securing his repatriation.

There had been lengthy discussions between Scotland's Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and the UK government's Europe minister.

There had been concerns about breaking the precedent of the RAF only repatriating the bodies of members of the Royal Family.

Witnesses say Mr Salmond, a nationalist stalwart, fell into the arms of a colleague at a lunch following the Cultural Diplomacy summit in Ohrid on Saturday afternoon.

The 69-year-old's family confirmed the cause of death was a heart attack in a statement issued on Monday evening.

The King led tributes to Mr Salmond, who led Scotland to the brink of independence in the historic 2014 referendum.

In a message issued by Buckingham Palace, the King said he and the Queen were "greatly saddened" to hear of Mr Salmond's "sudden death".

A book of condolence has opened at the Scottish parliament for visitors to leave messages that will be sent to Mr Salmond's family.

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Mr Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was leader of the SNP on two occasions, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.

He launched his rival Scottish independence party, Alba, in 2021 after his relationship with his successor Nicola Sturgeon fractured.

The pair never spoke again.

A Scottish government spokesperson 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."

(c) Sky News 2024: Alex Salmond's body to be returned to Scotland - with private individual paying for