Cumbernauld Couple Among Tunisia Victims Being Repatriated

The Scottish victims of the Tunisian massacre will be repatriated today.

Downing Street said the four are among nine bodies being returned to the UK later.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney is expected to be present at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for the repatriation.

Jim and Ann McQuire, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, and Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot, near Perth, died in the attack at the Sousse beach resort last Friday.

Seifeddine Rezgui, a 23-year-old student, shot dead 38 people on the beach in the atrocity.

A minute's silence will be held at 12pm tomorrow, one week on from the incident.

There will be a gathering at Abronhill Church in Cumbernauld at the same time, where Mr McQuire, 67, and his wife, 64, were members.

Rev Joyce Keyes, who asked for privacy at the event, paid a fresh tribute to a kind and gentle couple who will be sorely missed''.

She said: We have been overwhelmed by expressions of support from those who loved this exceptional couple and many more messages from those who simply shared in our grief.

Ann and Jim were a kind and gentle couple who will be sorely missed by our congregation; for their willingness to share their musical talents, for their contributions to the Boys' Brigade and for the fellowship we shared.''

The Grahams were visiting the resort to celebrate Mrs Graham's 50th birthday and a candlelit vigil is to be held in their memory.

A ''Bankfoot get together'' in memory of the couple will take place at Innewan Gardens Park at 7pm tomorrow, with those attending asked to bring a candle in a jar to place in the park.

Eight Britons killed in the terror attack were brought back to British soil yesterday and further flights are expected tomorrow and Saturday.