John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon have opted not to attend the funeral of Alex Salmond, as per a report by the Daily Record. A private service to honour the former first minister is scheduled to take place today in his hometown of Strichen in Aberdeenshire.
The decision of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to not be present at the funeral was confirmed by a Scottish Government spokesperson, citing it as a gesture in alignment with the wishes of Salmond’s family. The late Salmond passed away at the age of 69 due to a sudden heart attack earlier this month while on a visit to North Macedonia. His body was repatriated to Scotland via a private plane arranged by Sir Tom Hunter, a prominent philanthropist.
Regarding Swinney’s attendance at the funeral, a spokesperson mentioned, “In line with the wishes of Mr Salmond’s family, the funeral is private.” The Scottish Government and the First Minister express their condolences and solidarity with Salmond’s family and friends during this difficult time. Reports had previously surfaced indicating that Sturgeon would also not be attending the funeral service.
The rift between Salmond and Sturgeon became evident following allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him in January 2018. This strained their relationship, leading to a public fallout. Despite the turbulent history between the two, a small private funeral service is scheduled today, with plans for a larger memorial celebration expected to be held later in the year or early next year for Salmond’s supporters, friends, and former colleagues.
Salmond had been involved in legal battles with the Scottish Government over their handling of the complaints against him, which he vehemently denied. He emerged victorious in court, with the government conceding faults in the investigation process. The controversy surrounding the incident further strained the relationship between the former allies.
The funeral of a prominent political figure like Salmond naturally garners attention and sparks discussions on his legacy, the political landscape he shaped, and the relationships he formed over the years. The decision of key political figures like Sturgeon and Swinney to not attend the funeral reflects the complexities of interpersonal relationships and political dynamics in Scotland.