Salmond told China he had no part in Dalai Lama's visit

First Minister Alex Salmond personally assured China that his Government was not involved in a recent visit by the Dalai Lama, it has emerged.

Mr Salmond's decision not to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader in June fuelled suspicion he avoided the meeting to protect Scotland's interests in China.

The First Minister refused to reveal if the Dalai Lama was discussed at a meeting with China's UK ambassador Liu Xiaoming in June.

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