FIRST Minister John Swinney has lodged a Motion of Condolence in the Scottish Parliament after the death of his predecessor Alex Salmond.
Salmond passed away suddenly over the weekend after taking ill at a conference in North Macedonia. He was 69.
Tributes poured in from across UK civil society for the former first minister, and on Monday the Scottish Parliament opened a public book of condolence to allow members of the public to pay their respects.
Later on Monday, the First Minister lodged a motion of condolence which, by convention, will be signed by other party leaders.
It reads: “That the Parliament expresses its shock and sadness at the untimely death of Alex Salmond; offers its deep sympathy and condolences to his family and friends; appreciates the many years of public service that he gave as an MP, MSP, and First Minister of Scotland, and recognises the substantial and significant contribution that he made over many decades to public life, Scottish and UK politics and the cause of Scottish independence.”
The Scottish Government further said that the flags at St Andrews House in Edinburgh were lowered on Sunday as a mark of respect and will remain lowered through Monday.
The flags will be lowered again on the day of the reading of the Motion of Condolence and again on the day of Salmond’s funeral, the Government said.
It comes amid concerns about how Salmond’s body may be repatriated to Scotland, with reported delays and the suggestion that it may have to be done on a commercial flight.
However, there have been calls for an RAF plane to be used.
The Scottish Government said it has “been in regular dialogue with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since Saturday to ensure full support is in place for the family and around the repatriation of the former first minister”.
