A private individual is paying for a charter flight to bring Alex Salmond’s body back to Scotland from North Macedonia.

The former first minister died suddenly from a heart attack in the Balkan country on Saturday at the age of 69.

There had been calls for an RAF flight to repatriate his body, but it is understood a private charter flight – paid for independently – will be used.

A private family funeral will be held for the Alba Party leader, followed by a public memorial event at a later date.

Tributes have been paid to former SNP leader Salmond from across the political spectrum in recent days.

During Prime Ministers’ Questions, Sir Keir Starmer described him as a “monumental figure in Scottish and UK politics”.