PRIVATE JET WILL BRING ALEX HOME

'Citizen' pays for ex-FM's body to be flown back to Scotland

- CHRIS MCCALL

THE body of Alex Salmond is to be flown home to Scotland on a plane paid for by a "private citizen" following days of diplomatic wrangling.

The former first minister died aged 69 on Saturday while attending a conference in North Macedonia.

Friends and political allies had initially called for the veteran independence campaigner to be flown home by the RAF.

Alba Party acting Kenny leader MacAskill last night thanked the anonymous individual for paying to charter the flight to bring Salmond home.

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

"The family have asked 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."