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Leveson Inquiry: Scotland's Alex Salmond to answer questions Leveson Inquiry: Scotland's Alex Salmond to answer questions
(40 minutes later)
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is due before the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is due before the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.
The SNP leader's spokesman said he would "answer any and all questions" at his appearance before Lord Leveson, at London's Royal Courts of Justice.The SNP leader's spokesman said he would "answer any and all questions" at his appearance before Lord Leveson, at London's Royal Courts of Justice.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg is giving evidence.Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg is giving evidence.
Mr Salmond has come under pressure from opposition parties in Scotland over his relationship with the media mogul Rupert Murdoch.Mr Salmond has come under pressure from opposition parties in Scotland over his relationship with the media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
The businessman's News International organisation is at the heart of the inquiry which is looking in part at the extent of unlawful or improper conduct of media companies.The businessman's News International organisation is at the heart of the inquiry which is looking in part at the extent of unlawful or improper conduct of media companies.
Mr Murdoch closed his popular Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, in July last year following allegations the paper hacked the voicemails of murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler.Mr Murdoch closed his popular Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, in July last year following allegations the paper hacked the voicemails of murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler.
Throughout this week the inquiry is hearing from politicians who are explaining what relationship they have with the press.Throughout this week the inquiry is hearing from politicians who are explaining what relationship they have with the press.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown and current Chancellor George Osborne appeared on Monday. Prime Minister David Cameron is due to give evidence on Thursday.Former prime minister Gordon Brown and current Chancellor George Osborne appeared on Monday. Prime Minister David Cameron is due to give evidence on Thursday.
"What might Alex Salmond be asked? Well, there is like to be three lines of questioning....."What might Alex Salmond be asked? Well, there is like to be three lines of questioning.....
  1. "The extent of Mr Salmond's connection with Rupert Murdoch. In February 2011, emails suggest Mr Salmond was willing to lobby Jeremy Hunt on behalf of News Corporation with regard to the potential full takeover of BSkyB. Then in May of that year, the Sun in Scotland backed Alex Salmond's party to win the Holyrood election.
  2. "The duration of the connection with Rupert Murdoch. Earlier this year, Mr Salmond wrote a supporting article in the first edition of the Sun in Scotland on Sunday and also hosted Rupert Murdoch at Bute House [Mr Salmond's official residence] after - say his opponents - all the information was known about hacking.
  3. "On the issue phone hacking itself. Mr Salmond has been repeatedly asked in Holyrood whether his own phone was hacked. He has repeatedly refused to answer that saying he would give that information to the Leveson Inquiry."
  1. "The extent of Mr Salmond's connection with Rupert Murdoch. In February 2011, emails suggest Mr Salmond was willing to lobby Jeremy Hunt on behalf of News Corporation with regard to the potential full takeover of BSkyB. Then in May of that year, the Sun in Scotland backed Alex Salmond's party to win the Holyrood election.
  2. "The duration of the connection with Rupert Murdoch. Earlier this year, Mr Salmond wrote a supporting article in the first edition of the Sun in Scotland on Sunday and also hosted Rupert Murdoch at Bute House [Mr Salmond's official residence] after - say his opponents - all the information was known about hacking.
  3. "On the issue phone hacking itself. Mr Salmond has been repeatedly asked in Holyrood whether his own phone was hacked. He has repeatedly refused to answer that saying he would give that information to the Leveson Inquiry."
Ahead of Mr Salmond's appearance at the Leveson Inquiry, his spokesman said: "The first minister will be delighted to set out his views to the Leveson Inquiry and will answer any and all questions."
Mr Salmond's name has already been raised during the UK government commissioned inquiry.Mr Salmond's name has already been raised during the UK government commissioned inquiry.
When Mr Murdoch's son, James Murdoch, came before Leveson on 24 April, he was asked about emails in which it was revealed that Mr Salmond's adviser - named as Geoff Aberdein - had agreed that the first minister would call Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt "whenever we need him to".When Mr Murdoch's son, James Murdoch, came before Leveson on 24 April, he was asked about emails in which it was revealed that Mr Salmond's adviser - named as Geoff Aberdein - had agreed that the first minister would call Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt "whenever we need him to".
Tory MP Mr Hunt had been given the quasi-legal job of deciding the fate of satellite broadcaster BSkyB - which News Corp wanted to take full control of.Tory MP Mr Hunt had been given the quasi-legal job of deciding the fate of satellite broadcaster BSkyB - which News Corp wanted to take full control of.
The day after Mr Murdoch junior's appearance, Mr Murdoch senior was in the Leveson hot seat when the issue of his relationship with the SNP and its leader was raised.The day after Mr Murdoch junior's appearance, Mr Murdoch senior was in the Leveson hot seat when the issue of his relationship with the SNP and its leader was raised.
The 81-year-old was asked by inquiry lawyer Robert Jay why the Scottish Sun newspaper was anti-SNP at the 2007 Holyrood election but by 2010 had swung behind Mr Salmond and his party.The 81-year-old was asked by inquiry lawyer Robert Jay why the Scottish Sun newspaper was anti-SNP at the 2007 Holyrood election but by 2010 had swung behind Mr Salmond and his party.
Mr Murdoch said his organisation had not done any deal with Mr Salmond, although he said that on a personal level he liked the first minister.Mr Murdoch said his organisation had not done any deal with Mr Salmond, although he said that on a personal level he liked the first minister.
The Australian told the inquiry: "I don't know Mr Salmond well, but I've had three meetings here and he is an amusing guy and I enjoy his company and I enjoy talking with him and listening to him."The Australian told the inquiry: "I don't know Mr Salmond well, but I've had three meetings here and he is an amusing guy and I enjoy his company and I enjoy talking with him and listening to him."
Since the Murdochs' appearances at the inquiry, Scotland's opposition leaders have used First Minister's Question time at Holyrood to raise the issue of Mr Salmond's relationship with News International key personnel.Since the Murdochs' appearances at the inquiry, Scotland's opposition leaders have used First Minister's Question time at Holyrood to raise the issue of Mr Salmond's relationship with News International key personnel.
During the weekly Q&A exchange on 2 May, the first minister was asked by Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, whether his phone had ever been hacked.During the weekly Q&A exchange on 2 May, the first minister was asked by Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, whether his phone had ever been hacked.
Mr Salmond responded by saying: "I'll be going to the Leveson inquiry, I'll be speaking specifically about a range of matters under oath and that's where I shall give my evidence, which is exactly the right thing to do."Mr Salmond responded by saying: "I'll be going to the Leveson inquiry, I'll be speaking specifically about a range of matters under oath and that's where I shall give my evidence, which is exactly the right thing to do."
It has already been revealed that former Scottish First Minister Lord McConnell and SNP MSP Joan McAlpine - Mr Salmond's parliamentary liaison officer and a former journalist who worked for News International - were both victims of phone hacking.It has already been revealed that former Scottish First Minister Lord McConnell and SNP MSP Joan McAlpine - Mr Salmond's parliamentary liaison officer and a former journalist who worked for News International - were both victims of phone hacking.
The Leveson Inquiry is expected to make public documents relating to Mr Salmond's evidence session on Wednesday afternoon.The Leveson Inquiry is expected to make public documents relating to Mr Salmond's evidence session on Wednesday afternoon.
Details of meetings and contacts have been published already, including a log of Rupert Murdoch's phone calls with Mr Salmond. (Details below)Details of meetings and contacts have been published already, including a log of Rupert Murdoch's phone calls with Mr Salmond. (Details below)