Murdoch tweets support for Scotland independence

LONDON: Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch on Tuesday appeared to throw his weight behind Scotland's independence bid, a move welcomed by Scottish First Minister and pro-independence campaigner Alex Salmond.

The News Corporation chief, who is in London for the launch of The Sun on Sunday weekly newspaper, used micro-blogging site Twitter to urge: "Let Scotland go and compete. Everyone would win."

On Sunday, the Australian-born mogul tweeted that Salmond was "clearly most brilliant politician in UK" who was "loved by Scots."

Scottish National Party head Salmond called Tuesday's message "a very interesting eight words".

"We are in a debate in Scotland and internationally about Scotland's future and I welcome all contributions to that debate, including Mr Murdoch's," he added.

A spokesman for the minister confirmed Salmond had held a telephone conversation with Murdoch earlier on Tuesday in which they discussed Murdoch's new paper and his Twitter comments.

British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed in a speech in the Scottish capital Edinburgh last Thursday that he would to fight to keep the United Kingdom intact as Scotland's leaders push for a referendum in 2014 on independence.

Later, Cameron held his first talks about the referendum with Salmond, but the British premier said they had made little progress.

Cameron described the discussions as "constructive", but told BBC television: "On the issue of independence, separating Scotland, leaving the United Kingdom, I am afraid there wasn't much progress."

The Scottish and UK governments disagree on a number of referendum issues, including who has the legal authority to organise a vote. (AFP)