KREMLIN GREMLIN
‘I would have advised against it,’ says First Minister about Salmond’s show on channel spouting Kremlin propaganda
Sturgeon is not impressed with Eck’s new Russian TV gig
NICOLA Sturgeon distanced herself yesterday from Alex Salmond’s decision to work for a Russian propaganda TV station.
The First Minister criticised her increasingly erratic predecessor after he signed a deal with Kremlin mouthpiece Russia Today (RT).
Sturgeon said she had not been asked about the arrangement – and would have advised against it if she had been.
She 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 now 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.
“Neither I nor the SNP will shy away from criticising Russian policy when we believe it is merited.”
RT unveiled the former first minister and SNP leader as their new star turn at a lavish launch in London on Thursday night.
The Alex Salmond Show will make its debut next Thursday and will be a mixture of discussion about current affairs and “friendly exploration” into his guests’ personalities.
The station are notorious for peddling fake news for Russian president Vladimir Putin and attempting to undermine western democracies.
Regulators Ofcom have issued multiple rulings against RT over their biased news coverage.
They receive hundreds of millions of pounds in funding from the Russian Federation but insist their journalists are independent.
Last month, Twitter banned adverts from RT after US intelligence agencies uncovered evidence that the channel were part of a Russian plot to undermine the 2016 presidential election.
An SNP spokesman said: “This is entirely a matter for Alex Salmond, who is not currently an elected politician and as such is free to take on broadcasting and other opportunities of his own choosing, just as those from other parties have done.
“The SNP have no connection to Alex’s company or his media interests.
“The SNP have regularly expressed concern over actions by the Russian government, including reports of persecution on the grounds of race and sexuality, attacks on journalists and concerns about the integrity of the democratic process, and we will continue to pursue these concerns.”
Opposition politicians blasted Salmond’s “shameful decision” to launch the show. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “What an unedifying spectacle to see a former first minister who fancies himself as the Michael Parkinson of Putin’s propaganda channel.”
A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “Alex Salmond’s record in recent days has been to attack Scottish media outlets while cosying up to Putin’s propaganda machine.”
Salmond’s show will be produced by his close friend Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who also lost her Westminster seat in June.
It will be made by Slainte Media, his own production company.
Salmond said the show would not be a vehicle for Russian propaganda because he will retain editorial control.