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Leveson: Scottish party leaders to discuss report findings Leveson: Scottish party leaders to discuss report findings
(about 11 hours later)
Alex Salmond has invited opposition party leaders to discuss how Lord Justice Leveson's report into press standards could be implemented in Scotland.Alex Salmond has invited opposition party leaders to discuss how Lord Justice Leveson's report into press standards could be implemented in Scotland.
The first minister will hold talks with his fellow MSPs on Thursday in an attempt to find "cross-party consensus" on a new system of press regulation.The first minister will hold talks with his fellow MSPs on Thursday in an attempt to find "cross-party consensus" on a new system of press regulation.
The discussion will follow a debate at Holyrood on the topic Tuesday.The discussion will follow a debate at Holyrood on the topic Tuesday.
Mr Salmond has proposed an independent group takes forward Leveson's findings. Mr Salmond has called for a Scottish solution following the Leveson inquiry.
He said: "It is clear that we must have a system of regulation for the print media here in Scotland which has the support of the industry, but which also, most importantly, commands the confidence of the wider public who have been rightly angered at recent episodes concerning phone-hacking, blagging and other potentially illegal activity. But opposition party leaders have questioned the need for a separate regulation system north of the border.
"MSPs will have an opportunity to debate the Leveson findings at Holyrood on Tuesday. That debate has been deliberately framed without a motion, to reflect the desire for cross-party agreement. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme, the first minister said Scottish regulation was needed because of the different legal system, and he said Lord Leveson had highlighted it as something that should be considered.
"It will be an opportunity to hear what all members have to say and an opportunity for Scotland's Parliament to display the kind of consensus that has so far been lacking on this issue at Westminster." "He invites, flings down the gauntlet, to the devolved administrations to consider how the report could be implemented in our administration, if there is a consensus to go ahead with the central recommendation," Mr Salmond said.
Inquiry evidence "This is inescapable. It is the Scottish parliament's responsibility, certainly to consider it, and certainly to see if we can come to some sort of consensus."
But Mr Salmond added: "There's no suggestion, that I have seen from anyone, that the system of factual reporting, of the availability of correction, of access to correction for people with low resources, which to me is fundamental, is an issue.
"Everyone kind of agrees on that now. What the disagreement lies in is how that position could be underpinned or not.
"If it is to be legally underpinned then it is inescapable, given it is our responsibility and it's our Scottish law of defamation, that it would have to be underpinned on a Scottish basis."
Labour has said any Scottish inquiry into how to implement the recommendations would have "more credibility" if Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon or a senior member of the government took charge instead of Mr Salmond.Labour has said any Scottish inquiry into how to implement the recommendations would have "more credibility" if Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon or a senior member of the government took charge instead of Mr Salmond.
Opposition parties said Mr Salmond's relationship with News Corporation meant he should step aside from the process.
During his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, the first minister was quizzed about his contact with media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his willingness to lobby the former culture minister Jeremy Hunt over the planned BSkyB takeover.During his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, the first minister was quizzed about his contact with media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his willingness to lobby the former culture minister Jeremy Hunt over the planned BSkyB takeover.
In his report, Lord Justice Leveson concluded Mr Salmond could not be criticised for his role in lobbying for the takeover of BSkyB by Mr Murdoch's News Corporation.In his report, Lord Justice Leveson concluded Mr Salmond could not be criticised for his role in lobbying for the takeover of BSkyB by Mr Murdoch's News Corporation.
However, the judge's report said that, had the first minister been successful in persuading UK ministers, his actions would have rendered any final deal "unlawful".However, the judge's report said that, had the first minister been successful in persuading UK ministers, his actions would have rendered any final deal "unlawful".
The inquiry also said there was no evidence of a specific deal between Mr Salmond and the Murdochs to trade newspaper support for help with the bid. Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont told Sunday Politics Scotland she would take part in the cross-party talks on Leveson's findings.
But Lord Justice Leveson said the first minister was seeking political support from The Sun in the same conversation as he was repeating an offer to assist with the bid. She said: "This is an opportunity, through the all-party talks and beyond that, to do what we can do to make sure that the press has freedom to operate, but also that victims of the press should have recourse."
Two systems
During first minister's questions at Holyrood earlier this week, Mr Salmond outlined plans for an independent group to take forward the issue of press ethics in Scotland.During first minister's questions at Holyrood earlier this week, Mr Salmond outlined plans for an independent group to take forward the issue of press ethics in Scotland.
He suggested the post-Leveson group should be non-political and chaired by a current or recent Court of Session judge.He suggested the post-Leveson group should be non-political and chaired by a current or recent Court of Session judge.
Two systems
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the first minister was "rushing" plans for press regulation.Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the first minister was "rushing" plans for press regulation.
She said: "Newspaper publishers do not want and will not pay for two systems when one will do.She said: "Newspaper publishers do not want and will not pay for two systems when one will do.
"The industry will sign up to a UK-wide system and if Mr Salmond truly believes in press freedom he cannot compel newspapers to join his system. Therefore, whatever he devises is likely to be redundant before it has begun.""The industry will sign up to a UK-wide system and if Mr Salmond truly believes in press freedom he cannot compel newspapers to join his system. Therefore, whatever he devises is likely to be redundant before it has begun."
Mr Salmond has said he favours a system similar to the Irish model of press regulation.Mr Salmond has said he favours a system similar to the Irish model of press regulation.
He said: "I have already made clear that I believe the Irish model of press regulation has much to commend it and much that we could learn from.
"I believe it is clear that the case for a Scottish solution to these important issues is unarguable."