Alex Salmond faces Leveson questions in Scottish Parliament

Alex Salmond has faced sustained attack from opposition parties over his involvement with Rupert Murdoch and News International,at First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament.

Evidence given to the Leveson Inquiry on press ethics by Rupert and James Murdoch this week has raised concerns that Mr Salmond had too close a relationship with the media tycoons. In particular, opposition concern has been expressed over a willingness by Mr Salmond to make representations on their behalf to Culture Secretary James Hunt with regard to the proposed takeover of BSkyB, and a decision by the Scottish Sun newspaper to back Mr Salmond in the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections in which the SNP swept to an historic victory.

Mr Salmond has acknowledged an interest in the BSkyB developments, but insists that was entirely because of the company's position as a major employer in Scotland. Both he and Rupert Murdoch deny there was any impropriety in their dealings.

But Labour opposition leader Johann Lamont, Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, and Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie came together yesterday to write a joint letter demanding that Mr Salmond make an immediate statement to the Scottish Parliament,and today were persistent in probing the issue. In response Mr Salmond gave his usual robust performance, insisting there was no case to answer.