Sturgeon takes swipe at Salmond over chat show on pro-Putin TV
FORMER Scottish first minister Alex Salmond came under fire last night for launching a chat show on a TV station that churns out propaganda for the Kremlin.
Russian-funded broadcaster RT will screen The Alex Salmond Show, presented by Mr Salmond and his close ally, former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, later this month.
News of Mr Salmond’s new show sparked outrage and he was even criticised by his successor as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
The news emerged as the Moscowbased broadcaster announced it will register with the US government as a ‘foreign agent’ – in effect accepting it is a Russian propaganda outfit.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson accused Mr Salmond of ‘taking the Kremlin’s rouble’.
And a Scottish Conservative spokesman accused him of ‘cosying up to Vladimir Putin’s propaganda machine’. Iain Dale, who – like Mr Salmond – hosts a radio show on LBC, also reacted angrily, saying: ‘I’m now glad I pulled out of the launch party tonight. What a disgrace he didn’t tell guests it was for RT. Appalling. Be ashamed, Alex.’
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: ‘What an unedifying spectacle.
‘A former first minister who fancies himself as the Michael Parkinson of Putin’s propaganda channel. Nicola Sturgeon will have her head in her hands if this means another round of Alex Salmond interventions.’
Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I am sure Alex’s show will make interesting viewing. However, his choice of channel would not have been my choice.
‘Of course, Alex is not currently an elected politician and is free to do as he wishes. But had I been asked, I would have advised against RT and suggested he seek a different channel to air what I am sure will be an entertaining show.’
Mr Salmond, 62, will appear every Thursday to ‘share his thoughts and stories’ with guests as they discuss current affairs, RT said.
It comes at a time when Russian influence over Western democracies is under increasing scrutiny, with serious questions being raised about the country’s interference in last year’s US presidential election.
Scottish Labour leadership candidate Anas Sarwar said the decision ‘demonstrates an astonishing lack of judgment for a former first minister to host a show on Kremlin-backed TV’. ‘Alex Salmond’s decision to become Putin’s puppet in the UK is deeply troubling,’ he said.
‘Nicola Sturgeon can’t laugh this one off. She must demonstrate leadership and condemn this shameful decision.’
RT was founded by president Putin in 2005 as Russia Today. Jeremy Corbyn and several hard-Left shadow ministers have been criticised for appearing on it. Last month Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, attacked them for appearing on a ‘literal Kremlin propaganda channel’.