Body of Alex Salmond to be flown back to Scotland on Friday

The body of former first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, will be flown back to Scotland on Friday, the Alba Party has confirmed.

An unnamed private individual has paid for a chartered flight to repatriate the body of the Alba Party leader from North Macedonia.

Mr Salmond died aged 69 after suffering a heart attack in the city of Ohrid on Saturday, where he was attending a conference.

Reports on Wednesday also suggest there will be a public memorial service held for Mr Salmond, although no details have yet been finalised.

Tributes were paid to the former SNP leader in the House of Commons on Wednesday, with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing him as a "monumental figure in Scottish and UK politics", who left a "lasting legacy".

Both Tory leader Rishi Sunak and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey also paid tribute.

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