Sir Tom Hunter revealed as individual who paid for Alex Salmond’s repatriation

The Scottish billionaire Sir Tom Hunter has been revealed as the private citizen who paid for Alex Salmond’s body to be repatriated.

The former first minister died from a heart attack shortly after giving a speech in Ohrid, North Macedonia at the age of 69 on Saturday.

Hunter told The Times that Salmond and his family “deserved the dignity and privacy” of a private return to Scotland because of the devotion he showed to his homeland.

He said: “Whilst he and I disagreed on some of his ambitions, Alex Salmond devoted his life to Scotland and the Scottish people and as such he, and importantly his family, deserved the dignity and privacy of a private return to the home of his birth.”

After learning of Salmond’s death Hunter posted to X on Sunday: “RIP @AlexSalmond I remember sitting at the Scottish bizz awards with him, he was doing 3:2 diet. The awards dragged on past midnight he looked at his watch said to the waitress it’s a new day I can have a pudding now. All the best to his family.”

It has been reported that Hunter has paid for the flight personally, not through his philanthropic foundation.

Sir David Davis, a Tory MP and close friend of Salmond, led calls for the RAF to return his body.    

But reports suggested the cost of repatriation via RAF aircraft would cost in the region of £600,000.

Following the news of the private charter, the Scottish Government said it and its UK counterpart had “been engaging with Alex Salmond’s family and working closely together in accordance with their wishes”.  

The Scottish Government said it explored “a number of options” before the family made the arrangements with Hunter.  

Salmond’s body is expected to travel from Ohrid to Aberdeen on Friday.  

It is understood a small family funeral will be held in the north east of Scotland, followed by a larger memorial in Edinburgh.

Yesterday, acting Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill said: “The family of Alex Salmond would like to put on record their appreciation to the North Macedonian Government for expediting the necessary procedures to allow Alex's body to be released. The family would also like to thank the UK and Scottish Governments for their endeavours to put in place the swift arrangements to bring Alex Salmond home to Scotland.  The family are incredibly grateful for the support which is being provided by a private citizen to charter a private plane to allow Alex's body to come home to Scotland.  

“It brings a great deal of comfort to Moira and other members of the family to know that he will soon be home with them.  

“The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time and will be making an announcement in due course about the funeral arrangements and a memorial service to honour the life of Alex Salmond.”