Alex Salmond Denies Wrongdoing Over Murdoch Relationship

Salmond Denies Murdoch Impropriety

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond today denied any wrong-doing over the BSkyB takeover bid and insisted he would be "delighted" to appear before the Leveson Inquiry.

The SNP leader dismissed claims made in an email from a senior figure at News Corporation suggesting he would call Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt "whenever we need him to".

He also insisted he was happy for his aides to appear before the inquiry, which is investigating press standards.

Salmond said there was no "quid pro quo" arrangement in any dealings with News International.

He said: "There can't be possibly any suggestion of wrong-doing or impropriety.

"What has happened to Jeremy Hunt's special adviser is totally different.

"It's a question of legality and quasi-judicial rule. That's not the position of the Scottish Government. It's ridiculous to look for a comparison and I'm sure Lord Justice Leveson will realise that as well.

"But I'm responsible for what goes on in the Scottish administration. I shall be delighted to go along to the Leveson Inquiry and explain why it's our responsibility to advocate jobs and investment for Scotland.

"There was no quid pro quo because we were not in any position to deliver any quid pro quo.

"There was no quid therefore there was no pro."

Asked about the claim he would contact Hunt, he said: "That's email tittle-tattle, it's not representative of the fact.

What's representative of the fact is I made my position clear and was happy to make that position clear to anybody, including to the press."

Opposition leaders in Scotland united to demand Salmond makes a statement to Holyrood about his relationship with the Murdoch media empire.

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, along with Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, said in a joint statement: "Alex Salmond must tell us whether or not he offered to lobby the UK Government on behalf of the Murdoch family and News International with regard to their proposed takeover of BskyB."

But, speaking at the O2 arena in London after giving a speech to the Institute of Directors, Salmond said any issues could be raised during First Minister's Questions.

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