ALEXEI’S UNDER FIRE
Estonian ambassador tells Holyrood RT is a Kremlin arm of Putin propaganda
ALEX Salmond was accused of damaging Scotland’s international reputation as his new TV show made its debut on Russian state broadcaster RT yesterday.
The channel were branded a “Kremlin arm of propaganda” by the Estonian ambassador to the UK in Holyrood just hours after the programme aired.
The former SNP chief faced accusations of hypocrisy for using the show to condemn state violence by Spanish authorities in Catalonia while saying nothing about Russian state brutality.
Although Salmond insists he has full editorial control, RT promoted their editorial slant by running headlines along the bottom of the screen throughout the half-hour programme.
The show offered a mix of chat, opinion and interviews.
The star draw was Catalonian president Carles Puigdemont, who predicted his region will eventually become independent.
After the Puigdemont interview, Salmond hit out at Spanish repression.
He said: “They should be able to vote freely for or against independence without state police batons raining down on their heads.”
The decision to broadcast The Alex Salmond Show on RT has caused anger among senior SNP figures and opponents, who condemn human rights abuses in nations including Russia.
Nicola Sturgeon will not appear on the show and has questioned Salmond’s decision to choose the channel.
Estonian ambassador Tiina Intelmann was at Holyrood’s Europe Committee yesterday and said: “We have a view of Russia Today as a Kremlin arm of propaganda, which is exactly what it is.”
Intelmann warned MSPs that Russia is an unpredictable neighbour.
During First Minister’s Questions, Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie highlighted concerns.
He said: “It should turn our stomachs that a former first minister is giving it credibility and legitimacy by launching this show. Scotland’s reputation abroad has been damaged.
“Countries, particularly along the Russian border, will be deeply concerned.”