Call to reveal TV sponsorship cost

Mar 4 2010

First Minister Alex Salmond has been urged to reveal how much taxpayers' money has been spent sponsoring programmes on STV.

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom this week launched an investigation into whether the channel breached the code of practice on editorial independence.

Mr Salmond told MSPs during First Minister's Questions that £618,000 had been spent by his Government sponsoring Scottish-themed shows, but Tory leader Annabel Goldie revealed details of more than £15,000 shelled out by the Government's national heritage body, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), to sponsor programmes.