Davidson in call for RT ban as pressure over Salmond show grows

Ruth Davidson has called for Russia Today (RT), the network that broadcasts Alex Salmond’s television programme, to be banned in the UK as the SNP faced further pressure over its response to the former first minister’s position on the issue.

The Scottish Conservative leader said RT was peddling “soft-sell propaganda” in a bid to “poison our public discourse” and called for a crackdown.

Writing in a Suunday newspaper, Ms Davidson said: “That Alex Salmond, the 0 Alex Salmond has a regular show on the RT channel former Scottish first minister, continues to act as a frontman for RT is a shameful stain on his reputation.

“I hope we can soon pull the plug on it.”

Appearing on ITV’S Peston on Sunday programme, the SNP’S Westminster leader Ian Blackford insisted Mr Salmond was a “private citizen”.

However, Mr Blackford said guests should not appear on the programme and highlighted the lack of press freedom in Russia, saying: “We couldn’t have this conversation if we were on Russian television”.

Asked whether Mr Salmond’s producer and co-host, EX-SNP MP Tasmina Ahmedsheikh, should remain on the party’s national executive as equalities convener, Mr Blackford said the position was elected and unpaid, but said abuses of human rights in Russia were common.