VisitScotland row erupts in Scottish Parliament

Reports that VisitScotland is to take the blame for the bungled appointment of erstwhile chief executive Rod Lynch sparked a row in the Scottish Parliament last week.

It is understood that VisitScotland, formerly called the Scottish Tourist Board, is offering to pay Lynch's legal fees. However, claims that he is in line for £145,000 compensation were described by VisitScotland as "pure speculation until a full decision is reached".

Lynch's £145,000-a-year job was withdrawn days after his appointment in April when he refused to give up a second post as chairman and chief executive of Global Supply Systems, an Essex air cargo firm.

Scottish Conservatives used the news to attack the Scottish Executive. Tory leader David McLetchie said: "VisitScotland may officially be taking the rap for this particular shambles, but there is little doubt about who is really to blame - Wendy Alexander, the enterprise minister, and her colleagues in the executive. This embarrassing and expensive debacle has their fingerprints all over it."