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Rupert Murdoch meets Alex Salmond to discuss investment in Scotland Rupert Murdoch meets Alex Salmond to discuss investment in Scotland
(40 minutes later)
Rupert Murdoch met Scotland's first minister on Wednesday to discuss the potential for further investment in the country. Rupert Murdoch met Scotland's first minister on Wednesday to discuss the potential for further investment in the country.
The News Corp chairman met Alex Salmond in Edinburgh, where they also talked about the country's constitutional future and the Leveson inquiry into press standards.The News Corp chairman met Alex Salmond in Edinburgh, where they also talked about the country's constitutional future and the Leveson inquiry into press standards.
A spokesman for Salmond said: "This was a very constructive meeting focused on News Corporation's substantial economic footprint in Scotland and the first minister and Mr Murdoch discussed the potential for further investment within the country.A spokesman for Salmond said: "This was a very constructive meeting focused on News Corporation's substantial economic footprint in Scotland and the first minister and Mr Murdoch discussed the potential for further investment within the country.
"Mr Murdoch was keen to express his view that the current debate on Scotland's constitutional future continued to make Scotland an attractive place for inward investment."Mr Murdoch was keen to express his view that the current debate on Scotland's constitutional future continued to make Scotland an attractive place for inward investment.
"During the meeting, the first minister indicated support for the Leveson inquiry and police investigations into journalistic malpractice."During the meeting, the first minister indicated support for the Leveson inquiry and police investigations into journalistic malpractice.
"Mr Murdoch gave strong assurances that News International is intent on consigning these matters to the past and emerging a better organisation for it.""Mr Murdoch gave strong assurances that News International is intent on consigning these matters to the past and emerging a better organisation for it."
Also at the meeting was Tom Mockridge, News International's chief executive. Also at the meeting was Tom Mockridge, the chief executive of News International.
The talks at Salmond's official residence, Bute House, came three days after Murdoch's new title, the Sun on Sunday, revealed what it claimed will be the date of the referendum on independence – 18 October 2014.The talks at Salmond's official residence, Bute House, came three days after Murdoch's new title, the Sun on Sunday, revealed what it claimed will be the date of the referendum on independence – 18 October 2014.
The Scottish government later said the date, a Saturday, is a "possibility".The Scottish government later said the date, a Saturday, is a "possibility".
Last week Murdoch took to Twitter in a move seen as indicating support for independence. He tweeted: "Let Scotland go and compete. Everyone would win."Last week Murdoch took to Twitter in a move seen as indicating support for independence. He tweeted: "Let Scotland go and compete. Everyone would win."
That tweet followed another message, referring to a visit by the prime minister to Edinburgh, in which he said: "Alex Salmond clearly most brilliant politician in UK. Gave Cameron back of his hand this week. Loved by Scots."That tweet followed another message, referring to a visit by the prime minister to Edinburgh, in which he said: "Alex Salmond clearly most brilliant politician in UK. Gave Cameron back of his hand this week. Loved by Scots."
Opposition politicians condemned the meeting, with Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie saying: "Many people will be perplexed that the first minister can have such a close association with the troubled media tycoon.Opposition politicians condemned the meeting, with Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie saying: "Many people will be perplexed that the first minister can have such a close association with the troubled media tycoon.
"We need to know that he argued with force that News International must clean up its act."We need to know that he argued with force that News International must clean up its act.
"Passing reference to the Leveson inquiry would be insufficient. The people of Scotland would expect more from their first minister.""Passing reference to the Leveson inquiry would be insufficient. The people of Scotland would expect more from their first minister."
Anas Sarwar, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, said: "Given the ongoing revelations at the Leveson inquiry and the row over the referendum date this week, this was an inappropriate and ill-advised meeting for the first minister to take. Anas Sarwar, the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, said: "Given the ongoing revelations at the Leveson inquiry and the row over the referendum date this week, this was an inappropriate and ill-advised meeting for the first minister to take.
"The scandal that has engulfed News International and caused them to shut down one of their leading newspapers has shocked the public and the thought of the first minister enjoying a cosy cup of tea with Rupert Murdoch will not be well understood.""The scandal that has engulfed News International and caused them to shut down one of their leading newspapers has shocked the public and the thought of the first minister enjoying a cosy cup of tea with Rupert Murdoch will not be well understood."
Last year the Scottish Sun newspaper threw its weight behind Salmond in his successful attempt to secure re-election as first minister. Last year the Scottish Sun threw its weight behind Salmond in his successful attempt to secure re-election as first minister.