Keir Starmer calls for public condemnation of Alex Salmond over RT

Sir Keir Starmer has said “the Labour Party is under new management” as he distanced himself from Jeremy Corbyn’s stance on Russia - and called on Nicola Sturgeon to publicly condemn Alex Salmond over his programme on broadcaster Russia Today.
Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of CommonsLabour leader Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons
Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons

A spokesman for the Labour leader said the First Minister “should come forward publicly and issue a clear statement condemning” Mr Salmond after a report from the parliamentary intelligence watchdog highlighted RT as a Kremlin disinformation tool.

Earlier, at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Starmer pressed for action against "Kremlin-backed disinformation" and suggested the Prime Minister should "look again" at the licensing for RT to operate in the UK.

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Boris Johnson said the Labour leader should have called out his predecessor "when he took money for appearing on Russia Today", adding: "The Leader of the Opposition has more flip-flops than Bournemouth beach."

Mr Starmer hit back: "Pre-prepared gags on flip-flops, this is the former columnist who wrote two versions of every article ever published.

"In case the Prime Minister hadn't noticed, the Labour Party is under new management and no frontbencher of this party has appeared on Russia Today since I've been leading this party."

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