A few days ago Russian human rights activists used an event at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to attack Alex Salmond for taking money from Russia Today '“ Vladimir Putin's propaganda TV channel.

They said: “I think it’s awful ... All the Russian propaganda TV channels are not working to provide information, but to provide hatred.”

Rather than echo these views and help a former First Minister of Scotland be less of a national embarrassment, Lesley Riddoch used her column in the Scotsman (Perspective, 13 August) to attack the BBC for apparently not reporting recent pro-independence marches. Of course, this is “Fake News” from Riddoch.

Lesley Riddoch: BBC struggles to accept Scottish independence isn't a '˜phase'

Letters: Lesley Riddoch wrong to claim BBC fails to report pro-Scottish independence marches