The Scottish Government is in talks with the Foreign Office to bring back the body of Alex Salmond from North Macedonia.
The former First Minister died at the age of 69 on Saturday after speaking at a conference in Ohrid. The ex-SNP leader is believed to have passed away after a heart attack.
Now the Scottish Government have confirmed it is working with counterparts at Westminster to return Mr Salmond’s body to Scotland, with a senior Tory MP saying the RAF should repatriate him.
It’s understood the talks ongoing are between Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government has been in regular dialogue with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) since Saturday to ensure full support is in place for the family and around the repatriation of the former First Minister.”
First Minister John Swinney lodged a motion of condolence at the Scottish Parliament on Monday while the flags at St Andrews House in Edinburgh have been lowered since Sunday as a mark of respect.
Mr Swinney praised Mr Salmond’s “substantial and significant contribution that he made over many decades to public life”.
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The UK Government confirmed it is working with local authorities in North Macedonia, with a spokesperson for the FCDO saying: “We are providing consular support to the family of Alex Salmond following his death in North Macedonia, and are in contact with the local authorities and Scottish Government.”
A spokesperson for the Alba Party added: “Discussions are taking place and we can expect an update this evening.”
Sir David Davis, who represents the Tory party at Westminster, was a close friend of Mr Salmond’s and he has been urging the RAF to repatriate him and believes the Government are listening to that suggestion.
He said: “They’ve been listening. But I know there are practicalities, there aren’t just aircraft sitting on a runway ready to take off.
“But they’re working on making it happen one way or another, whether it’s an RAF flight or a civil flight.”
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