ALEX Salmond’s family face a wait for his body to be flown home after his sudden death in North Macedonia.
They are understood to want a private funeral for the SNP icon and a public memorial later.
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But no dates have yet been set as repatriation arrangements remain unclear, days after the former First Minister suffered a fatal heart attack in the Balkan nation.
A source close to the process explained: “All formalities in North Macedonia are completed.
“To be fair, all governments are doing their best. These things are just bureaucratic.”
We told how the political world was stunned on Saturday when Mr Salmond, 69, of Strichen, Aberdeenshire, collapsed and died during a summit in the city of Ohrid.
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The country’s foreign affairs ministry said they were awaiting departure information “from the Scottish side”.
It is understood Scots ministers plus the UK Foreign Office are in talks over the option of a charter flight.
Allies again called for a special RAF repatriation service for the Alba Party chief and Tartan Army member — whose life was celebrated by thousands of footie fans with a minute’s applause before Scotland’s Nations League draw with Portugal at Hampden last night.
Alba general secretary Chris McEleny said the rule that RAF flights are for royals only should be ripped up.
He added: “There’s an outpouring of love for Alex and his family need him home.
“We could get him home with the RAF directly to the north-east of Scotland where he belongs so his family, importantly, can grieve propertly and then as a country.”
