Sturgeon to be 'banned' from Alex Salmond's funeral

The funeral of Mr Salmond is expected to be held in the week beginning October 28, however an official date has yet to be set.

Kenny MacAskill, acting leader of the Alba Party, has said the Aberdeenshire service will be a private ceremony for family and close friends, with a wider public memorial expected later in the year.

However it is understood that Ms Sturgeon - a former mentee of Mr Salmond - has “not a chance in hell” of being invited to the funeral or any later celebrations of his life, according to sources close to the Alba Party.

Mr Salmond died suddenly at the age of 69 after suffering a heart attack in the North Macedonian city of Ohrid where he was attending a conference.

A source close to the Alba Party, which was set up by Mr Salmond in 2021, told the Sunday Mail: "It will be a very small private service with only family attending.

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"There will be a larger memorial celebration later in the year, or possibly into January, for Alex's supporters, friends and old colleagues.

"Nicola Sturgeon won't be invited to either of them. Not a chance in hell."

While Ms Sturgeon was previously mentored by Mr Salmond, and replaced him as SNP leader and first minister after he resigned in the wake of the Scottish independence referendum defeat, the pair had a bitter and public falling out in recent years.

Following his death, Ms Sturgeon described Mr Salmond as an "incredibly significant figure" in her life.

The pair were once considered to be amongst the most formidable in UK politics, but had become increasingly critical of each other in the last few years.

In her tribute to her former mentor, Ms Sturgeon admitted she could not pretend that breakdown did not happen despite being "shocked and sorry" to learn of Mr Salmond's death. 

Alex Salmond pictured in North Macedonia. (Image: PA/Academy for Cultural Diplomacy) She said: "It remains the fact that for many years Alex was an incredibly significant figure in my life.

"He was my mentor, and for more than a decade we formed one of the most successful partnerships in UK politics.

"Alex modernised the SNP and led us into government for the first time, becoming Scotland's fourth first minister and paving the way for the 2014 referendum which took Scotland to the brink of independence.

"He will be remembered for all of that. My thoughts are with Moira (his wife), his wider family and his friends."

Their friendship shattered publicly when Mr Salmond faced allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to his time in office.

He strongly denied the claims and successfully took legal action against the Scottish Government for its handling of the investigation into him.

Mr Salmond was awarded more than £500,000 as a result.

He was charged with 14 offences, including two counts of attempted rape but was acquitted of every charge in 2020.

However, sources close to Ms Sturgeon told the Sunday Mail the former first minister was "devastated" by the death of Mr Salmond.

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A senior source is understood to have said: "It’s been a lot for Nicola and I think she doesn’t know what to feel.

“She’s completely devastated by Alex’s death. Even though they had clearly fallen out of favour with one another, he was a huge part of her life for a long time.

“His death came as a complete shock to us all.”

The body of Mr Salmond was flown back to Scotland from North Macedonia on Friday after businessman Sir Tom Hunter paid for a specially chartered flight.

The coffin, draped in a Saltire, was received by Mr Salmond's family and Mr MacAskill.

Discussing funeral plans, Mr MacAskill told the Press and Journal: "It will be the week of October 28 but the day has not yet been decided. It will be in the north-east and it will be a private ceremony for family and close friends.

“There are some procedural issues because of the body coming back in a sudden death from a foreign jurisdiction but all organisations involved have been outstanding, including Aberdeen Airport. Everybody who has been involved, we have the highest regard for.”