The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Alex Salmond: News Corp lobbyist?

The Michel emails suggest Salmond acted as News Corp's political champion.

By George Eaton Published 24 April 2012 17:09

News Corporation head Rupert Murdoch with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. Photograph: Getty Images.

Jeremy Hunt wasn't the only political cheerleader News Corporation enjoyed the services of. The full emails of the company's public affairs director Frederic Michel, now available on the Leveson inquiry website, reveal the extraordinary lengths that Alex Salmond went to to support the BSkyB bid. According to Michel, the Scottish First Minister offered to lobby both Vince Cable and Jeremy Hunt on the company's behalf and to brief the Scottish press on the "economic importance" of News Corp for the country. All of which goes some way to explaining Rupert Murdoch's recent description of Salmond as the "most brilliant politician in U.K.".

Below are the full, damning emails.

On 1 November 2010, Michel told James Murdoch:

Alex Salmond is very keen to put these issues across to Cable and have a call with you tomorrow or Wednesday. His team will also brief the Scottish press on the economic importance of News Corp for Scotland.

Following a conversation with Rupert Harrison, George Osborne's special adviser, on 9 November 2010, Michel reported to Murdoch:

He (Harrison) was very much taken by our commitment to Scotland and Alex Salmond's desire to support us. He thought it was a strong ally to put forward, very contrarian/unexpected.

On 11 February 2011, Michel told James Murdoch:

I met with Alex Salmond's adviser today. He will call Hunt whenever we need him to.

Finally, on 2 March 2011, Michel wrote to Murdoch:

Alex Salmond called. He had a very good dinner with the Editor of Sun in Scotland yesterday.

The Sun is now keen to back the SNP at the election. The Editor will make his pitch to the Editorial team tomorrow.

On the Sky bid, he will make himself available to support the debate if consultation is launched (emphasis mine).

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Tags: Alex Salmond News Corporation

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26 comments

Mon, 2012-07-23 20:01 — alice40tt

Very good article to read. I have enjoyed this information so much. I cant wait to read more from this awesome and helpful site. Thanks - educational toys

Sat, 2012-07-21 21:34 — Jason Glosworth (not verified)

Jeremy is not a politician, he simply is "hooking-up" with the trends. Feeling the wind...

Mon, 2012-06-18 21:33 — Jake Mortonie (not verified)

Most brilliant politician in U.K... Joking? The Labour Party in Scotland was destroyed by such lonely brilliant politician.

Thu, 2012-04-26 11:23 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

So Alex Salmond sought to cosy up to NI, so what isn't that what Blair, Brown and Cameron have all done. I as an Englishman marvel at your anti Salman "articles!"

Wed, 2012-04-25 15:36 — Drew Edward (not verified)

Salmond definitely has questions to answer over his links to NI but the trouble is only the Lib Dems can really ask those tough questions with any degree of credibility. Labour and the Tories are both guilty of having a bromance with Murdoch over a prolonged period.

Whether it's the Sun for the SNP or the Daily Record for Labour the whole issue of newspapers having access to political leaders and acting as cheerleaders for political parties needs to be looked at. If broadcasters can stick to a code of impartiality, which gets even tougher around election time, I see no reasons why newspapers cannot toe the same line.

Wed, 2012-04-25 15:36 — Drew Edward (not verified)

Wed, 2012-04-25 13:04 — LadyJ (not verified)

I have been pointing out, for a long time that the Tories and the SNP have been collaborating to destroy the Labour Party in Scotland.
This from a Tory Party who helped the SNP into power, knowing full well that, if the SNP wins, the UK could be fractured. Like most conservatives and Republicans; say one thing in public and do something else.

Shameful.

Wed, 2012-04-25 08:14 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

First good thing I heard about the fat Scot.

Wed, 2012-04-25 14:20 — Albert Tatlock (not verified)

Having a bit of trouble commenting there Gimpus? Toddle off, there's a good tory.

Wed, 2012-04-25 08:14 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

First good thing I heard about the fat Scot.

Wed, 2012-04-25 08:14 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

First good thing I heard about the fat Scot.

Tue, 2012-04-24 23:19 — duck soup

Wow.First Minister Alex Salmond hasn't been rude and stand offish to someone who employs 6000 people in Scotland.What a scandal!

For this he deserves to be derided by the unionist MSM yet again.

Or as we can call it on this site THE EATON WALLY GAME.

Tue, 2012-04-24 22:44 — Fat Bloke on Tour (not verified)

Given the fact that Wee Eck has a brass neck you could mine I fear it will take more than a couple of "Smoking gun" e-mails to get him to resign.

Love the comment in the first e-mail about the economic importance of NI to Scotland - What tripe, what pure unadulterated rubbish.

NI has next to no economic interests in Scotland, it owns one printing plant so it is on a par with the Dandy.

BSkyB on the other hand has a huge influence in Scotland with its low pay call centres and its low ball and anti-competitive contract with the SPL. If Wee Eck can't tell the difference then he should retire to a comfy and well fed life on the backbenches at Westminster and any telly work he can get.

Wed, 2012-04-25 07:34 — Christian Wright (not verified)

"NI has next to no economic interests in Scotland"

Seems you BS as easy as you breath - Sky employs 6,000, and Murdoch controls it. Now who the he11 are you to sneer at those who work there?

Wed, 2012-04-25 11:27 — Fat Bloke on Tour (not verified)

Unfortunately you are talking rubbish.

Monkey Glands / NI does not control BSkyB he only has a 38% stake in the company so NI is not BSkyB and for Wee Eck's mouthpiece to claim that NI employs thousands in Scotland is not correct and the claim should not be made - simples!

As for your other suggestion, where do I sneer at those who work there?
Nowhere so I fear you try to hard in your pathetic political fanboy attempts to give succour to WeeEck or Rupert's Bag Carrier / Message boy as he should be known from now on.

Consequently away oot and play tig wi the buses ya rocket.

Tue, 2012-04-24 19:06 — Graeme Hancocks (not verified)

I think Samlond has some questions to answer. Not that he will - slippery as an eel that one.

Wed, 2012-04-25 07:40 — Christian Wright (not verified)

There are SIX THOUSAND jobs in Scotland at stake and more coming - now would you have those people unemployed?

Tue, 2012-04-24 18:33 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

All sounding a bit desperate. Really, does George Eaton think it's ethical to try and smear Salmond/Scottish independence just because it would be a negative for Labour's electoral chances?
Should try and think of it another way. Without Scotland to placate Labour are free to move even further to right than they already are. Think of the possibilities.

Tue, 2012-04-24 18:15 — mcquade

So much for Scottish independece. The place is being run by the stooge of an oligarch.

Wed, 2012-04-25 07:41 — Christian Wright (not verified)

This is written from Smith house - how many aliases is that now?

Tue, 2012-04-24 17:51 — Elmo NS (not verified)

don't know why I am surprised - el presidente Salmond is after all a man with a record of shady completely-unrecorded meetings with lobbyists and SNP donors(sometimes one and the same) at his own home.

Wed, 2012-04-25 07:50 — Christian Wright (not verified)

Standard response from Labour stooges - you need them to give you some new material. There are currently six thousand jobs kept in Scotland and more on the way as direct result of Salmond's good relations with Murdoch. You would be happy yo see them lost.

That's five posts from you under different identities, congratulations.

Thu, 2012-04-26 11:19 — Fat Bloke on Tour (not verified)

CW aka High productivity Wee Eck Fan Boy.

Repeat after me - NI is not BSkyB.
Repeat after me - NI does not own BSkyB.
Repeat after me - NI does not control BSkyB.

Now onto to your crystal ball - just when are these jobs you mention going to appear?
If you have any time left after your homework any chance of the Lotto numbers for weekend?