Business leaders face boycott threat over ties with Russian TV propaganda channel
SCOTTISH business leaders face a boycott after failing to break ties with a Russian propaganda TV channel following a suspected Kremlin assassination bid.
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has been under pressure to expel Sputnik UK, based in the city, since accepting it as a corporate member last month.
At the time the traders’ group said it was delighted to welcome the organisation – which is backed by Vladimir Putin – adding that it would support the ‘international news agency’ and connect it with key city stakeholders.
But now a motion is set to be tabled to the city council which could see the authority relinquish its position in the chamber should Sputnik’s ‘inappropriate’ membership be allowed to go on.
It comes days after a suspected nerve gas attack on Russian double agent Colonel Sergei Skripal, , in Salisbury.
Tory councillor John McLellan, who represents Craigentinny and Duddingston, said he wants the council’s position in the chamber to be ‘reviewed’ when it is discussed next Thursday. ‘The events of this week notwithstanding, it was a bad idea for the chamber to welcome Sputnik and I would like to see the chamber end their association with the organisation with immediate effect,’ he said.
‘The issue for me is that the chamber is presently connected to the council, and that then gives Sputnik access to the council and its councillors. I don’t think that’s appropriate given Sputnik’s links to agents of the Russian state.’
He added: ‘I’ve tabled a motion at the next full council meeting asking for the chamber to end Sputnik’s membership – if that doesn’t happen, for Edinburgh city council to review its own membership’.
Following criticism immediately after the decision to allow Sputnik’s membership, a chamber spokesman said it would ‘review’ the situation. After the suspected nerve gas attack, Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘Other countries have taken a tougher line on the assets of Russian nationals than we have in the UK.’
He added: ‘The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has a proud reputation in developing fantastic businesses in the capital for more than two centuries.
‘They should reconsider whether support for Sputnik is in that tradition.’
Scottish Conservative chief whip Maurice Golden said: ‘Sputnik can hardly be described as a credible news outlet, and it is surprising an organisation such as the Edinburgh Chambers of Commerce should entertain its membership.’
A council spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment on a political decision.
A spokesman for Sputnik said: ‘We wish the politicians making these ridiculous statements a speedy recovery from their bout of Cold War Syndrome. However, the symptoms seem to be catching and apparently there’s no cure.’