Labour gives mixed message over Kremlin TV after Salisbury poisonings
LABOUR has sent out contradictory messages on whether its politicians should shun Russian propaganda channels after the Salisbury poisonings.
Shadow chancellor John Mcdonnell yesterday said he would no longer appear on RT, which is regarded by Nato and the EU as a misinformation vehicle for the Putin regime.
The veteran politician had previously appeared on the station but said recent changes in Russian broadcasting had caused him to rethink his stance.
However, party sources were reported as saying they would not be advising all MPS to avoid RT, only confirming on the record that attitudes to the broadcaster were “under review”.
Mr Mcdonnell had told the Andrew Marr show: “I have been looking overnight at what’s happening in terms of changes in coverage on Russian television in particular, and I think we have to step back now.
“I can understand why people have up until now because we have treated it like any other television station. We try to be fair and as long as they abide by journalistic standards which are objective, fine. But it looks as though they have gone beyond that line. So, we’ll be having that discussion.”
Russian media have suggested former spy Sergei Skripal poisoned himself. RT is regulated by Ofcom.
The SNP announced its members would shun the channel some time ago but this has not stopped its former leader Alex Salmond, now no longer an MP, to host his own show on RT.
The party renewed attacks last week but warned against an Ofcom ban, fearing tit-for-tat attacks on the BBC Russian service.
Nato believes Russian propaganda has been building up since the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.