Alex Salmond has ignored the Ukraine crisis on a Russian state-backed broadcaster and instead focused on a book by a former Lib Dem leader.
The former First Minister, who has been urged to give up his programme on RT, failed to mention Russia’s actions in Ukraine once on his show.
The only reference was by his guest Sir Vince Cable, who fleetingly referred to "Ukraine war" in a discussion on possible cooperation between Labour and the Lib Dems,
Russia’s invasion has triggered a huge international backlash and led to cross-party condemnation in the UK.
Vladimir Putin ’s actions have also led to scrutiny of the Russian state’s activities in the UK, such as the output of the pro-Kremlin RT.
Salmond has rebuffed repeated calls, including from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, to give up his self-titled show on RT.
Observers were curious whether Salmond would address the situation in Ukraine in his latest programme this morning.
However, his only guest was ex Lib Dem leader Cable, who stood down in 2019.
The focus of the interview was a book by Cable on world leaders who “changed politics” as well as his own career.
The pair also talked about the possibility of Labour/Lib Dem cooperation at Westminster.
However, Cable’s decision to appear on RT embarrassed the Lib Dems, whose Scottish leader Alex Cole Hamilton had pledged that “no representative of my party” will appear on Russian-state backed media.
Cole-Hamilton tweeted: “Vince Cable is a private citizen and no longer a LibDem parliamentarian, but his appearance on Salmond’s RT show this morning was entirely wrong. So too is Salmond’s continued association with this agent of a hostile power.
“No elected Scottish Liberal Democrat will appear on RT.”
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