Much ado about RT in Holyrood

Ruth Davidson asked Nicola Sturgeon to push for a ban on Russia Today in a thinly-veiled attack on the First Minister’s predecessor.

The Scottish Conservative leader tried to embarrass the SNP leader over Alex Salmond’s weekly appearances on the Kremlin- backed RT channel.

Ms Sturgeon retaliated during First Minister’s Questions by inviting the Tory leader in Scotland to condemn Russian donations to the Conservatives in the wake of the chemical attack in Salisbury.

Referring to the licence review by broadcast regulator Ofcom, Ms Davidson said: “Does the FM agree that this review is long overdue and that we should all unite against propagandist channels, which spread disinformation and undermine our values?”

Ms Sturgeon said licences are “rightly a matter for Ofcom” rather than politicians and warned her opposite number against trying to score political points.

She added: “I do not support state propaganda, I have made my views clear on Russia Today in the past.”

Hitting back at Ms Davidson, the SNP leader said she was “not aware” that her Tory rival had offered her opinion on “matters like Russian donations to political parties”.

“Perhaps she will take the opportunity to do so,” Ms Sturgeon added.