ALEX Salmond has hit back at a “silly season” BBC story, as it was revealed he is no longer involved in plans for a takeover of the Johnston Press newspaper group.
Norwegian investor Christen Ager-Hanssen had previously said he planned to make the former Scottish first minister the chairman of the board at the group, whose titles include the Scotsman and the i.
A BBC article quoted Ager-Hanssen as saying the former first minister was “a great guy”, but “too politically infected”.
READ MORE: Attempted takeover of The Scotsman by Alex Salmond team begins today
The LibDems said this was no surprise, coming “after months of [Salmond] taking Putin’s Rouble”.
Ager-Hanssen hit back, saying the comments had been taken out of context, and that he wanted someone with “more knowledge and understanding about the technology element of the media, rather than a public figurehead”.
It comes after the newspaper publishing firm confirmed it received a letter from his Custos Group.
The Custos Group, which owns more than 20% of Johnston Press, said there was speculation the company was going to be put into administration.
Ager-Hanssen explained on Twitter it was the “change in circumstances and the skill set now needed to save the ailing Johnson Press that made me change my mind” about Salmond’s involvement in his planned takeover.
Responding to the attacks, Salmond said: “There is nothing more to this silly season BBC tweet than that Mr Ager-Hanssen, as major shareholder in Johnston Press, is now focussed on restructuring the ailing group rather than changing the board. I wish him luck in what will be a very hard task.
READ MORE: Ofcom slated over decision on Salmond TV show
“As for the Tories and Liberals, if they see a political stick then they are sure to pick up the wrong end of it!”
Johnston Press is currently looking at ways to refinance £220 million of debt that becomes repayable in June next year.
The firm recently signalled a fresh round of cost-cutting, saying a challenging market has put pressure on revenues, which dropped nearly 10% over 2017.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel