A PANEL of five experts has been named by the Scottish Government to look at the implications of the Leveson Report, with former senior judge Lord McCluskey agreeing to chair it.

The former solicitor-general heads the panel, which will also include David Sinclair, a past president of the National Union of Journalists and former assistant editor of The Herald.

Edinburgh University law professor Neill Walker has also agreed to serve, as has senior partner at media lawyers Levy & McRae, Peter Watson, who is a visiting professor at Strathclyde University. Herald columnist Ruth Wishart has also been appointed to the panel.

The First Minister called it a balanced panel but Labour complained its nominee Brian Fitzpatrick, an advocate and former MSP, had been rejected without the party even being informed ahead of the announcement. It is understood the Conservatives nominated Mr Watson.

Stressing the range of expertise within the panel, Mr Salmond added: "What is critically important is that this panel is representative of the broad spectrum of interests that need to be taken into account. This group of experts is independent and non-political."