One of Scotland's most prominent newspapers, The Herald, is facing investigation by the independent press regulator, IPSO, after photo-shopping an image of SNP leadership hopeful Kate Forbes MSP. 

The paper's Sunday edition published a photo of Forbes with a large Bible in her hand across its front-page banner, alongside the headline' Secular Scotland: What do atheists make of the role religion is playing in society?'

A spokesperson for IPSO told Premier Christian News that it had received 27 complaints about the doctored image in the Herald newspaper. 

According to its website, IPSO exists to "hold newspapers and magazines to account for their actions" and to "uphold the high standards of journalism".

Speaking to Premier, Shona Haslam of Logos Scotland and former Leader of Borders Council commented: "The face of Kate Forbes has been at the forefront of Scotland's leadership campaign. To photo-shop her image is a new low. This wouldn't have happened to people of other faiths, with their holy books."

Tweeting @heraldscotland with the altered image and the original photo, Gow Davy told the paper: "This is unacceptable and shows how your standards are now lower than that of the Murdoch press".

Janeo, another Twitter user, wrote, "gutter press sunk to a new level here", while Kris Mearns tweeted that the changed image "is utterly appalling".

Formerly known as the Glasgow Herald, the Herald is believed to be the world's longest-running national newspaper.

Under IPSO rules, if complaints fall in their remit and possibly breach the Editors’ Code, they offer mediation between those who complained and The Herald.

IPSO told Premier: "If a resolution cannot be reached, an investigation will then begin.”