Scottish Parliament

Alex Salmond said the evidence that showed his support for News Corporation's bid to fully own BSkyB was for the good for Scottish jobs, during first minister's questions on 14 June 2012.

The Scottish government has consistently maintained that its interest in the proposed deal was that it would secure jobs.

Ms Lamont questioned that, saying: "Isn't it the truth that Alex Salmond became Rupert Murdoch's lackey not to create Scottish jobs but in an attempt to keep his own?"

Mr Salmond again insisted the takeover would have been good for employment, citing evidence that Rupert Murdoch's son James had given to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.

Mr Murdoch had said the deal would potentially lead to an increase in BSkyB's operations in Scotland, the first minister told Ms Lamont.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson also questioned Alex Salmond's relationship with Rupert Murdoch and questioned if any of his staff had leaked the date of the independence referendum to the Sun on Sunday.

The first minister said the date was only a possible date and the actual date would be announced after the independence referendum consultation had been analysed.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie asked the first minister to reverse the appointment of Scottish Enterprise chief executive Lena Wilson to the board of Intertek, with a salary of £55,000.

Mr Salmond said there was no conflict of interest and there were benefits to have the chief executive as one of the very few Scottish women on a FTSE 100 company board.