RT TV could be boycotted by Labour

Senior Labour politicians may stop appearing on the Kremlin-backed RT television channel, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said.

Following the Salisbury nerve agent attack – widely blamed on Russia – Mr McDonnell said he would no longer appear on the station, formerly known as Russia Today, and that there would be a discussion on whether others in the party should follow suit.

“I think that is right now and that is what I will be doing. What we are seeing from Russia Today sometimes goes beyond objective journalism from what I’ve seen,” he told BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show.

“I have been looking overnight at some of what’s happening in terms of the change in coverage on Russian television in particular and I think we have to step back now.

“I can understand why people have (appeared on RT) up until now because we have treated it like every other television station.

“We tried to be fair with them and as long as they abide by journalistic standards that are objective that’s fine but it looks as if they have gone beyond that line, so yes, we will have that discussion.”

Meanwhile, Police have charged a man with breaching one of the cordons in Salisbury following the suspected nerve agent attack.

Jamie Knight, 30, is accused of breaching the cordon on The Maltings on Friday evening.

He was charged with assaulting a police officer, common assault, criminal damage to a police vehicle and a racially aggravated public order offence.

The site has been of particular interest to detectives investigating the incident, with officers in hazmat suits securing a tent covering a bench in the shopping centre area over the weekend.

He will appear before magistrates in Swindon today.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Robust action will be taken against anyone who breaches or interferes with any cordon or the ongoing police investigation.”

Military and emergency services outside Salisbury Police Station.