The former leader of the Liberal Democrats has tabled an Early Day Motion expressing concerns over the future of Scottish political journalism.

Sir Menzies Campbell has warned the Commons of the potentially harmful effect on the amount of political reporting on Scottish affairs from Westminster after a series of cuts in the country.

Although he does not name any title or newspaper group specifically, the EDM comes in the wake of a huge shake-up in the Scottish media, involving big daily titles in Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as Trinity Mirror’s weeklies division.

Last month the Edinburgh-based Scotsman titles announced a new line-up in its merged Scotland on Sunday and Scotsman operation, which included the appointment of Eddie Barnes as group politics editor.

Johnston Press has confirmed that it is in discussions regarding the future of The Scotsman’s Westminster-based political editor, Ross Lydall.

Divisional MD Michael Johnston said: “The Scotsman Publications Limited is currently involved in detailed discussions with Ross Lydall regarding his future and, therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further about an individual case.

“However, I can confirm The Scotsman has no plans to withdraw from the Westminster Lobby and will continue to cover both the UK and Scottish parliamentary scenes in great depth.”

It is understood that Mr Lydall did not apply for the Edinburgh-based post of group politics editor as he wanted to remain in Westminster.

His departure would leave The Scotsman with just one reporter based in the Lobby, Gerry Peev. As recently as 2005 the paper had three reporters based there.

Fife North East MP Campbell’s EDM reads: “That this House notes with concern the threat of cuts to the number of lobby journalists reporting from Westminster for Scottish national newspapers; notes that cutting jobs in this area will have a detrimental effect on the quality and quantity of political reporting on reserved issues such as defence; and urges the proprietors of the Scottish national newspapers to protect the exemplary political reporting of lobby journalists for the Scottish press by avoiding job cuts in this area.”