Mr MacAskill also expressed the Salmond family’s appreciation to the North Macedonian Government, for “expediting” the process of releasing Mr Salmond’s body and the Scottish and UK governments for their work in securing his repatriation.

Former first minister Alex Salmond, who died on Saturday, will be flown back to Scotland on a specially chartered plane, paid for by a private individual. STV News understands Mr Salmond’s body is expected to be flown into Aberdeen in the next few days, for a private family funeral.

The body of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s former first minister who died during a conference in North Macedonia, will soon be returned by special flight to Scotland.