Alex Salmond’s physique has returned residence to Scotland after businessman Sir Tom Hunter paid for the constitution flight to repatriate the previous first minister.
Mr Salmond died from a coronary heart assault on Saturday on the age of 69 throughout a convention journey to the lake resort of Ohrid in North Macedonia.
The late Alba Get together chief had earlier delivered a speech earlier than collapsing in a crowded room throughout lunch.
Shut pal and Conservative MP Sir David Davis had led requires the RAF for use to carry Mr Salmond’s physique residence, however ultimately, a non-public flight to Aberdeen Airport was chartered and paid for by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter.
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Mr Salmond and Sir Tom Hunter in 2007. Pic: PA
Sir Tom stated he remained “resolutely apolitical”, explaining: “Whilst he and I disagreed on some of his ambitions, Alex Salmond devoted his life to Scotland and the Scottish people and as such he, and importantly his family, deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return to the home of his birth.”
Kenny MacAskill, appearing chief of the Alba Get together, beforehand stated Mr Salmond’s household had been “incredibly grateful” for the assist.
The North Macedonian, Scottish and UK governments had been additionally thanked for his or her assist in the method.
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Mr Salmond with Alba Get together colleagues Kenny MacAskill and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh earlier this 12 months. Pic: PA
Mr Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was chief of the SNP on two events, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
He stepped down from each roles following the results of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and was changed by Nicola Sturgeon.
Mr Salmond went on to launch the Alba Get together in 2021 in his continued marketing campaign for independence.
The King led tributes to Mr Salmond following his sudden loss of life.
In a message issued by Buckingham Palace, the King stated he and the Queen had been “greatly saddened”.
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A ebook of condolence has opened on the Scottish parliament. Pic: PA
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The ebook might be despatched to Mr Salmond’s household. Pic: PA
A ebook of condolence has opened on the Scottish parliament for guests to go away messages that might be despatched to Mr Salmond’s household.
Scotland’s nationwide males’s soccer crew additionally held a minute’s applause earlier than their Nations League match in opposition to Portugal at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
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A minute’s applause for Mr Salmond was held forward of the Scotland and Portugal match at Hampden Park on Tuesday. Pic: PA
And at Westminster on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Mr Salmond as a “monumental figure in Scottish and UK politics”, who left a “lasting legacy”.
Each Tory chief Rishi Sunak and Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey additionally paid tribute within the Commons.
