The BBC director general will face "some extremely difficult questions" from MSPs this week over reports the broadcaster is dropping plans for a flagship "Scottish Six" news programme.

BBC Scotland has been piloting a new programme bringing together Scottish, UK and international stories in one show to replace Reporting Scotland and the Six O'Clock News but the Sunday Herald claims the plans have been rejected by bosses.

The plans have become a political issue and SNP MP John Nicolson said not going ahead with the programme would "represent an extraordinary lack of ambition and commitment to Scotland".

A BBC spokeswoman said its charter proposals will be announced shortly.

BBC director general Tony Hall is due before the Scottish Parliament's Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Committee on Thursday and convenor Joan McAlpine said he will face difficult questions.

"A Scottish Six would provide a major jobs and investment boost north of the border and ensure that Scotland gets a much fairer share settlement from the BBC in London," the SNP MSP said.

"The publicly-funded broadcaster risks being left behind by its commercial rivals who are already exploring similar formats.

"I look forward to discussing these issues with Lord Hall when he appears before the Committee this week - but he is going to face some extremely difficult questions if this is what he is coming to say."

STV has announced plans for it's own flagship hour-long news programme to begin this year.

Mr Nicolson, a former BBC journalist, said: "As our national debate continues over Brexit and independence - a properly funded Scottish Six has never been more necessary.

"I have no doubt it would draw on the very best of our journalistic talent to produce programmes of the highest standard.

"Indeed, the BBC's Good Morning Scotland is a perfect example of how a Scottish-based programme can deliver a mix of Scottish, UK and international news with a running order decided on news merit. It is absurd to suggest that the same format cannot be delivered on television."

He added: "Moreover as a journalist myself it seems to me that a Scottish Six would have afforded Scotland's opposition parties what they said that they wanted; in addition to a mix of national, UK and international stories this format would have allowed increased scrutiny of the workings of the Scottish Government and ministers."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We've been formulating our charter proposals for Scotland and will announce them shortly."