Britain will send more weapons to Ukraine and Ofcom is to launch a review of Kremlin-controlled channel Russia Today's broadcasting licence, Boris Johnson has said.
It comes after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Vladimir Putin had gone "full tonto" in his invasion on Ukraine, with Russian attacks feared in the days and weeks ahead.
Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said "in light of the increasingly threatening behaviour" more defensive weapons would be sent to Ukraine and that regulator Ofcom had been asked to look at RT's licence.
It came after he was pressed by Labour Leader Keir Starmer who said: "We must also do more to defeat Putin's campaign of lies and disinformation.
"Russia Today is his personal propaganda tool. I can see no reason why it should be allowed to continue to broadcast in this country."
The Prime Minister replied: "I believe that [Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries] has already asked Ofcom to review that matter, but what I will say is that we live in a democracy and a country that believes in free speech."
The PM this week announced sanctions on five banks and three oligarchs yesterday after President Vladimir Putin said he would send troops into two breakaway regions, with nearly 200,000 massing near Ukraine's borders.
The Defence Secretary came during a chat with military personnel at the Horse Guards building in Westminster. He compared the Russian president to Tsar Nicholas I during the Crimean War as he "had no friend, no alliances".
He told the PA news agency that the Army would be "busy", adding: "Unfortunately we've got a busy adversary now in Putin, who has gone full tonto."
The Prime Minister's spokesman later said Ofcom would decide whether or not to revoke RT's licence.
He said: “It is a matter for Ofcom in terms of regulating the media - that’s not something we’d want to see politicians decide.
“The Culture Secretary has written to Ofcom to express her concerns about Russia’s ability to spread their propaganda in the UK. Ofcom does have the power to step in when broadcasting rules have been breached, and… they’ve previously sanctioned Russia Today for serious failures to comply with broadcasting rules on impartiality.”
He suggested “appropriate action should there be any attempt to use Russia Today to spread disinformation".
RT’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anna Belkina issued a furious statement accusing UK politicians of “openly and brazenly interfering in institutions they have long touted as supposedly independent”. She added: “RT's operational and editorial independence from all governments is legally protected and always has been.”
But Boris Johnson's spokesman said: "We know their editor-in-chief has previously called Russia Today the information weapon of the Russian state.”
Asked if the PM would ask the Prime Minister's dad Stanley Johnson would stop appearing on RT, Mr Johnson’s spokesman replied: “Obviously that’s a matter for individuals.”
And pressed on whether the PM himself would appear on the channel, his spokesman replied: “No.”
It came as Boris Johnson announced in the Commons that the UK will send further defensive weapons to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said: "I can announce to the House that in light of the increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine.
"This will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid."
There is no suggestion the UK's own Army troops would be sent into Ukraine, which is not a NATO member. They have however been sent to neighbouring countries Estonia and Poland.
The Labour leader also pressed the PM to impose more sanctions on Russia, after the PM said the UK had sanctioned 275 individuals.
“We all want to deter aggression in Europe. We are not dealing with breakaway republics. Putin is not a peacekeeper, a sovereign nation has been invaded.
“The Prime Minister promised that in the event of an invasion he would unleash a full package of sanctions. If not now, then when?”
“There has already been an invasion," Sir Keir added. "There is clearly concern across the House that his strategy, I accept unintentionally, could send the wrong message.
The Prime Minister said "what we want to see is de-escalation" of the Ukraine-Russia conflict
He said: "There is still hope that he will see sense, but we are ready very rapidly to escalate our sanctions as I have set out.”
The Prime Minister insisted that “any Russian entity, any Russian individual” and members of the Russian parliament could now be targeted by UK sanctions if needed.
