Alex Salmond to host show on state funded Russian TV

Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to speak out against her predecessor Alex Salmond, after the former first minister revealed he is to host a talk show on state funded Russian TV.

Mr Salmond, who lost his Westminster seat in June's General Election, will present a new weekly programme on the station RT, previously known as Russia Today.

It has been branded a “Russian propaganda channel”, and Anas Sarwar, one of the candidates vying to be the next leader of Scottish Labour, branded the former SNP leader as “Putin's puppet”.

Announcing details of the new programme, which will be first broadcast on Thursday November 16, Mr Salmond said the show will “give people with something to say a platform to say it”.

The inspiration for the show has come from his sell-out show at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Mr Salmond has previously expressed some admiration for “certain aspects” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the announcement of the new show led to widespread criticism.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said he was “taking the Kremlin's rouble” while Scottish LIb Dem leader Willie Rennie said he “fancies himself as the Michael Parkinson of Putin's propaganda channel”.

Ms Davidson said on Twitter: “It's not often I feel sorry for @NicolaSturgeon, but Salmond taking the Kremlin's rouble on Russia Today? Ooft....”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “It's clear that Alex Salmond's moral compass now points towards Vladimir Putin's corrupt regime in the Kremlin.

“It beggars belief that a man who led Scotland for seven years should be reduced to a puppet of Russia's deeply damaging propaganda unit.”

Mr Carlaw called on Ms Sturgeon to “find the courage finally to distance herself from the embarrassing and shameful example being set by her predecessor”, adding: “Old loyalties should not deter the current First Minister from speaking out immediately.”

Mr Sarwar said: “It demonstrates an astonishing lack of judgment for a former first minister to host a show on Kremlin-backed TV. Alex Salmond's decision to become Putin's puppet in the UK is deeply troubling.

“Nicola Sturgeon can't laugh this one off - she must demonstrate leadership and condemn this shameful decision.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton challenged the former first minister to use the new programme to interview opponents of the Putin regime such as punk band Pussy Riot or Marina Litvinenko, the widow of murdered spy and dissident Alexander Litvinenko.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Frankly, it is quite impressive if Mr Salmond has managed to secure free rein for his chat show on the Russian state broadcaster.

“If this is the case, he should start with a bang and use this as an opportunity to give a platform to some of the courageous opponents of the Putin regime like Pussy Riot, Marina Litvinenko or one of the many prominent gay rights activists standing up in the face of Russian thuggery.”

Mr Salmond has said his programme will include guests from the world of business, politics and entertainment

“This programme will give people with something to say a platform to say it, and we intend to find out something about the personalities behind the public figures,” he said.

The announcement of the new programme comes as Mr Salmond seeks to become chairman of the newspaper group Johnston Press, publisher of The Scotsman and The i.

Scottish Conservative MP Colin Clark, who ousted Mr Salmond from the Gordon constituency in June, said: “I am only too happy to have helped Alex make the move into journalism."