MSP slams cost of finding logo for Scotland

North East MSP Richard Lochhead claims Scottish ministers have so far spent 300,000 researching a logo, and warns they are in danger of wasting cash.

Mr Lochhead said parliamentary answers had confirmed the level of resources already spent by advertising agencies hired by the Executive, and that the bill was set to increase as research continues.

He is calling on ministers to publish the results, and has asked for an explanation about why a new logo is needed and what steps are being taken to involve the people of Scotland.

He said: "Why do we need more research when a similar exercise was carried out in the 1990s at great expense?

"Ministers must now explain what steps are being taken to allow the people of Scotland and the business community a say in what symbol should represent their country.

"Ministers are being far too secretive about something as important as a new logo for Scotland and if opposition MSPs had not been tabling questions then we would know very little about it.

"It is a pity that an initiative that will be so important to how Scotland is perceived around the world is surrounded by mystery, especially when considerable public resources are being thrown at the project."

An Executive spokeswoman said it was looking at ways of changing how people perceive Scotland.

"Scotland’s traditional image is known and loved, but it is important that for Scotland to compete, we build on this image."