Sputnik expelled from trade body as relations ‘deteriorate’
A RUSSIAN propaganda outlet has been expelled from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce following pressure from politicians.
Sputnik UK said it was “disappointed” to have its corporate membership revoked following a monthlong review by the trade body.
It comes after representatives from every political party in Holyrood urged the Chamber to reconsider Sputnik’s membership, calling it a “propaganda outlet for a brutal and authoritarian Kremlin regime”.
A Chamber spokeswoman said it had “decided to terminate” Sputnik’s membership on the back of the “deteriorating relationship” between the UK and Russia. She said: “The Chamber, an apolitical organisation, notes the important commercial and social links between the UK and Russia and hopes more cordial and mutually beneficial relations will be restored in due course.”
The Herald highlighted Sputnik’s relationship with the Chamber last month, sparking disquiet. In a release put out by the agency, bosses at the Chamber promised to help it “grow and raise its profile”.
But Sputnik has been accused of spreading misinformation, and was last year banned from advertising on Twitter amid fears it tried to interfere in the 2016 US election. Intelligence officials have said it is a “a platform for Kremlin messaging”.
A Sputnik spokesman said the Chamber’s move was “politically motivated”. He said: “We disagree with the decision which we believe violates the principles of a non-political body the Chamber claims to be.”