The RAF has refused to repatriate Alex Salmond’s body from North Macedonia, causing John Swinney to pay for a chattered flight back to Scotland.
On Saturday, the former First Minister passed away at the age of 69 after delivering a speech in North Macedonia at around 3.30pm (local time).
The UK and Scottish Governments had been in talks about the return of the former SNP leader’s body.
There had been calls for the armed forces to get involved, with David Davis, Conservative MP and close friend of Salmond, leading the charge.
However, a private jet has been decided as the best option after lengthy discussions.
It is understood that there were fears over breaking the precedent that the RAF only repatriates the bodies of royals, Sky News has reported.
The politician “fell sick and died on the spot” from a suspected massive heart attack, police have said. A fellow delegate caught him as he fell backwards off his chair at the diplomacy conference.
Efforts were made to resuscitate the 69-year-old. Paramedics concluded that by the time they arrived, there was nothing that could be done to save him.
More to follow…
