Alex Salmond has rejected calls for a Scottish inquiry into phone hacking amid continued controversy over his relationship with Rupert Murdoch.
The First Minister insisted the Leveson Inquiry was already looking into the relevant issues after a House of Commons report severely criticised the News Corp chairman.
The Culture, Media and Sports Committee on Tuesday accused Mr Murdoch of ”wilful blindness” towards the wrongdoing that led to the News of the World phone hacking scandal and concluded he was not a ”fit person” to lead a major international corporation.
Meanwhile Tom Watson, the Labour MP who came to prominence through his role on the committee, urged Mr Salmond to set up a Scottish inquiry in the wake of revelations that former First Minister Jack McConnell had his phone hacked.
But the SNP leader who is facing sustained criticism over his links to the Murdochs ruled out the move and also refused to comment on Mr Murdoch’s suitability for the role of News Corp chairman.
He said: ”The question of who is a fit person to run a major news organisation should be judged by independent authorities like Lord Leveson and by the scrutiny of an independent statutory body like Ofcom, rather than a politically divided committee of MPs split on party lines.
”That is where responsibility for any recommendations should lie. Indeed that is the whole point of the Leveson Inquiry, which has been charged with looking at these issues.
”In terms of the suggestion of a separate Scottish inquiry, the Scottish justice system does not need any lectures from Tom Watson, who seems unaware of the fact that the Leveson Inquiry includes Scotland within its remit, and the fact that a Strathclyde Police special unit are currently investigating allegations of criminality in Scotland.
”That investigation will proceed wherever the evidence leads, without fear or favour, to ensure Scottish citizens are afforded the proper protection of the criminal law. And in Scotland I am confident the criminal law will be upheld.”
Mr Salmond’s dismissal of the committee report provoked opposition anger at Holyrood.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: ”It is strange day when Mr Salmond is happy to let Westminster run with the ball on something that affects Scotland.
“In the last few days we have learned that phone hacking reached the very top of government in Scotland. It is right and proper that the Scottish Parliament has the opportunity to look into the phone hacking scandal in its own way and in its own time.
“Mr Salmond should try not to let the serious questions he is facing over his own links with Rupert Murdoch cloud his judgment.”
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont accused Mr Salmond of ”selling out” the office of First Minister to act as ”the last line of defence” for Rupert Murdoch.
”It is the job of leaders to lead and if Salmond feels he can’t lead on this issue, questions will be asked of what is it about his close relationship with the Murdochs which is stopping him,” Ms Lamont said.
The First Minister came under fire last week over the suggestion he would lobby Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on behalf of the Murdochs’ attempted takeover of BSkyB. Mr Salmond has categorically denied the offer was in return for favourable coverage in Mr Murdoch’s Scottish Sun newspaper.
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