Tommy Sheridan joins '˜Russian propaganda' outlet as presenter

Former MSP Tommy Sheridan has been confirmed as a presenter on controversial state-owned Russian broadcaster Sputnik News, which has been described as a '˜propaganda outlet' for the Putin regime.

Tommy Sheridan. Picture: John Devlin

The former Scottish Socialist Party MSP, who was jailed in 2011 for perjury relating to his legal action against the News of the World newspaper, will present a chat show on the network.

Sputnik announced today that ‘The Tommy Sheridan Show’ will debut on the network’s website and will feature ‘hard-hitting video broadcasts’, and that the ex-Big Brother contestant would write a weekly column for the website.

Mr Sheridan becomes the second Scottish politician to take up work for a broadcaster owned by the Russian state after former First Minister Alex Salmond began a weekly show with TV channel Russia Today.

‘The Alex Salmond Show’, which was censured by OFCOM over tweets presented as being from viewers, is continuing despite the allegations of misconduct levelled against the ex-SNP leader.

In a press release, Mr Sheridan said: “I am delighted to join the Sputnik UK team and thrilled to bring my show to our growing audience. I will be interviewing a number of fascinating guests who will offer a fresh perspective often denied by the main stream media.”