Rupert Murdoch and Alex Salmond hold Edinburgh meeting

Rupert Murdoch and Alex Salmond talked about the debate over Scottish independence

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has held a meeting in Edinburgh with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

They were reported to have discussed the potential for further investment in Scotland.

Also on the agenda was Scotland's constitutional future and the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.

Mr Murdoch, the chairman of News Corporation, has posted on Twitter recently indicating apparent support for Scottish independence.

Opposition parties questioned whether the meeting at Bute House, the first minister's official residence, was appropriate.

Details of the meeting were announced by the Scottish government after it had taken place.

On Tuesday, Mr Murdoch arrived in Scotland to talk to staff at his newspapers.

A spokesman for the first minister said: "This was a very constructive meeting focused on News Corporation's substantial economic footprint in Scotland and the first minister and Mr Murdoch discussed the potential for further investment within the country.

"Mr Murdoch was keen to express his view that the current debate on Scotland's constitutional future continued to make Scotland an attractive place for inward investment.

"During the meeting, the first minister indicated support for the Leveson Inquiry and police investigations into journalistic malpractice.

"Mr Murdoch gave strong assurances that News International are intent on consigning these matters to the past and emerging a better organisation for it."

The meeting with the first minister came on the day that Mr Murdoch's son, James, stepped down as executive chairman of News International, the UK newspaper business that owns the Sun and the Times titles.

The newspaper publisher has been tainted by phone-hacking allegations, which led the company to close its News of the World title in July last year.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie expressed concern about the meeting, saying: "Many people will be perplexed that the first minister can have such a close association with the troubled media tycoon.

"We need to know that he argued with force that News International must clean up its act. Passing reference to the Leveson inquiry would be insufficient."

Deputy Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, added: "The scandal that has engulfed News International and caused them to shut down one of their leading newspapers has shocked the public and the thought of the first minister enjoying a cosy cup of tea with Rupert Murdoch will not be well understood."