Scottish Government Reveals Private Individual Funding Repatriation of Alex Salmond's Remains from North Macedonia

Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, tragically collapsed and died after giving a speech on Scottish independence in North Macedonia on Saturday.

The Scottish Government have confirmed a 'private individual' is paying for a flight to repatriate Alex Salmond's body back to Scotland from North Macedonia. 

Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, tragically collapsed and died after giving a speech on Scottish independence in North Macedonia on Saturday.

There was previous confusion surrounding the former First Minister's return. 

David Davis, a Conservative MP and close friend of Salmond, had advocated for military involvement in the return.

But there were worries about changing the precedent by allowing the RAF to repatriate the bodies of individuals beyond just those of the Royal Family.

On Monday evening, Salmond's family confirmed that the cause of death was a heart attack.

The 69-year-old had a distinguished political career, serving as Scotland's first minister from 2007 to 2014 and leading the SNP twice: from 1990 to 2000 and again from 2004 to 2014.