Salmond’s rating low on influence

FANS of the cut and thrust of Scottish politics have been enjoying the latest claim from the SNP’s embarrassing uncle, Alex Salmond. Apparently it was Alex who urged Westminster leader Ian Blackford to try out disruptive tactics, leading to the Nationalist power-grab walkout last week.

Since Mr Salmond lacks a political seat of power, this is a little like a man in the pub claiming credit for From Russia With Love because he once bought Sir Sean Connery a pint.

Speaking of Russia, how many Salmond fans are still enjoying his weekly chat shows on the RT channel?

Mr Blackford urged Nationalists to boycott The Alex Salmond Show after the Salisbury poisonings, while SNP defence spokesman Stewart McDonald observed after a visit to the Ukraine: ‘When you stand on the hill of the bombed-out TV tower from which Russian separatists were bombing towns where satellite dishes were receiving fake news from Russian media outlets, it brings home how dangerous RT really is.’

Yet Mr Salmond still accepts the Russian rouble for current broadcast delights such as a three-part look at shipbuilding, and his insights into Ramadan. Anyone thinking ‘haud me back’ will have that view reinforced by his latest show’s 162 views on YouTube, last time anyone looked.

Real broadcasters would be alarmed by this level of disinterest. It’s almost as if Putin’s propaganda channel doesn’t care what Mr Salmond broadcasts.

The point is that he validates RT – and its paltry 0.02pc audience share – by continuing to take its money.