Sputnik expelled from trade body

A Russian news outlet has slammed the “politically motivated” decision to expel it from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Sputnik, the multi-media arm of Rossiya Segodnya, known as Russia Today, was recently admitted as a member of the chamber, which works to boost links between businesses.

However, in the wake of the poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, calls had been made for the chamber to reconsider its relationship with the news organisation.

Edinburgh Council last week voted to ask the Chamber to “terminate its agreement with Sputnik forthwith”. The Chamber allowed Sputnik to become a member earlier this year, a move that has since been criticised by every political party in Holyrood.

A Sputnik UK spokesman said it was a “discreditable moment” for the Chamber. He added: “As a result of an ongoing media and political campaign against Sputnik UK we are disappointed with the decision that has been made by the Chamber of Commerce to end our membership agreement. We disagree with the decision which we believe violates the principles of an independent and non-political body.”