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Veteran Tory David Davis has called for the RAF to fly Alex Salmond’s body back to Scotland - Former first minister of Scotland and titan of Scottish politics Alex Salmond died from a suspected heart attack
- Salmond was having lunch when he suddenly got up and collapsed, director of the event in North Macedonia said
- Flags were flown at half-mast at Holyrood in tribute
- Nicola Sturgeon paid a bittersweet tribute to her ‘mentor’ despite breakdown in relationship
A veteran Tory MP has told the foreign secretary the RAF should fly Alex Salmond’s body back to Scotland after the former first minister’s death in North Macedonia.
David Davis, friend of the Alba Party leader, contacted David Lammy to say the Royal Air Force should repatriate Salmond.
Salmond died on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack. He had been in the country to speak at the Forum on Cultural Diplomacy taking place in Ohrid.
Academy for Cultural DiplomacyThe Academy said Salmond participated in meetings during the late morning of October 12 and “became ill and suddenly collapsed” in the afternoon.
“All of a sudden he just went out and fell into the arms of a colleague of mine on the other side of the table. I immediately got up and ran to call an ambulance and when I came back, he was on the floor”
Mark Donfried, director of the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy
A leader of the conference where Salmond spent his last few days said the forum is “in a state of shock” over his death.
Mark Donfried, director of the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy, said: “He was here the last few days, he gave excellent participation two days ago at the panel discussion.
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“He was really in the best of spirits, the best of health, and I was sitting across from him at lunch yesterday when all of a sudden he just went out and fell into the arms of a colleague of mine on the other side of the table. I immediately got up and ran to call an ambulance and when I came back, he was on the floor.”
EBUMr Donfried added: “We’re all completely shocked – the entire hotel, the conference, it’s been very difficult for all of us.
“He was a great man who we all looked up to and so we’re still all in a state of shock.
“Last night, we had a brief moment of reflection on his legacy.
“There was a humility with Alex, he had an authenticity, it was amazing to see how he’d touched individuals he had only known for a few days.”
Former North Macedonia President Gjorge Ivanov sent his condolences to Salmond’s “family and loved ones in this difficult time”.
Alex Salmond’s last speech
Salmond participated in a panel discussion on Friday morning at the Ohrid Cultural Diplomacy Forum 2024.
He spoke about both the Scottish independence referendum and the Brexit vote, with a focus on reconcilliation in the wake of a democratic process that may have a divisive result.
“My general message is respect for democratic, legitimate democratic aspirations leads to good outcomes,” he said.
“Disrespecting it in one way or another, and often surprisingly, can lead to bad outcomes for everyone.”
STV NewsSalmond served as the first minister from 2007 to 2014 and was a prominent figure in Scotland’s nationalist movement.
Salmond’s Alba Party said it “grieves the loss of our founder and Leader”, adding that the “dream he cherished so closely, and came so close to delivering, will never die.”
At the Scottish Parliament on Sunday, flags were flown at half-mast in tribute.
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