Alex Salmond has died

[JackJarvisEsq]

Aged 69. Not that old these days

Whatever your politics it’s definitely the end of an era

This 100%

As others have said, I didnt agree with his politics, but he was a conviction politician and there aren’t too many of those around now. I'd like a return to the politics we had in Scotland when we had people like Alex Salmond, John Smith and Donald Dewar. All hugely intelligent, eloquent politicians, who believed in something, not just in what being a politician could do for them personally.

I can’t say I am happy with all this repatriation news on TV this morning and how it is being paid for. I get he was a politician and a public figure however, I assume he had travel insurance and surely that should be paying the costs here, not the tax payer?

BBC and Sky news both say "a private citizen" has paid for the privately chartered plane.
He wasn't just a politician though, he was one of only seven (?) First Ministers we have had in Scotland.

Local news says it’s the Scottish Government.

Where? STV news and BBC Scotland both give the info I mentioned.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3e9q8x5jejo

A spokesperson said: “Over the last few days the Scottish government and UK government have been engaging with Alex Salmond‘s family and working closely together in accordance with their wishes, to ensure the swift and dignified repatriation of the former first minister to Scotland.
“Having explored a number of options, the family have now made arrangements for this to take place with the support of a private citizen."

I doubt the bookies would give odds on Brian Souter.

Do you seriously believe that the Scottish government would spend public money to charter a repatriation flight?

Forth One have reported all day it was the Scottish Government. Only just now at the 4 pm news they’ve said a private individual so I take back what I said.

As I said Forth One have said it on every news bulletin until the last one where they’ve said a private individual.

No worries @Sorbiecorner

I bet they wouldn't expect and ex prime minister's body to be flown home in a commercial flight.

Can you imagine the howls of rage from the Nats if Boris Johnson or David Cameron's body was flown back to the UK at a cost of £600k?!

The private individual is reportedly Tom Hunter.

I think repatriation at taxpayer expense makes sense if it's a serving politician away on business.

Otherwise, isn't that what travel insurance is for? Or, indeed, rich businessperson friends.

it makes no sense to me that travel insurance wouldn't cover it? Did he not have travel insurance? He was meant to be a smart guy so I assume he would?

Perhaps the travel insurance wouldn’t provide the ceremony that might be planned to accompany the coffin?

Considering how many private jets and helicopters our glorious leaders take at our expense , they can gtf.

What would you say if Boris Johnson or David Cameron's body was flown back to the UK at a cost of £600k?!

I don't believe the figure of £600,000 for a single flight.

I'm sure I saw that quoted as the cost if the RAF did it. Not a private flight

The BBC has said Tom Hunter is paying for the flight. Not the taxpayer.

As it should be.

www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/raf-flight-to-bring-alex-salmond-home-would-cost-600000-3fqkrncfj