SCOTTISH LibDem chief Alex Cole-Hamilton has condemned former UK party leader Vince Cable’s appearance on Alex Salmond’s RT show as “entirely wrong”.
Cable, who served as the party’s leader from 2017 to 2019 and served in the Tory/LibDem Cabinet during the coalition years, was broadcast speaking to the former Scottish First Minister while Ukraine was being invaded by Russia.
The former MP, who left the Commons at the 2019 election, later said he had asked the Kremlin-backed broadcaster not to air the interview given the invasion.
After outrage erupted, Cable told The Scotsman: “The interview had nothing to do with the situation in Ukraine and was about the paperback version of my book, Money and Power, and my earlier novel that British measures should be strengthened.
“I totally condemn the invasion and fully support NATO sanctions and the position of Ed Davey.
“In view of this morning’s events I have asked RT not to broadcast the interview.”
But Cole-Hamilton (above) hit out at Cable over the appearance.
"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,” he tweeted.
"No elected Scottish Liberal Democrat will appear on RT."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson added: "Vince has many views which the party has always valued, but appearing on RT is wrong."
During the 30-minute interview, Salmond and Cable did not discuss the situation in Ukraine beyond a throwaway mention.
On social media, commenters noted that the appearance was embarrassing for the party, who have been taking a strong position against Russia in recent weeks.
After sanctions on Russia were announced by Boris Johnson, current party leader Ed Davey had been among those demanding he go further.
READ MORE: Russia Today ban: Nicola Sturgeon blasts Alex Salmond over ties to station
He said: “Freeze and begin seizing the assets of every single one of Putin’s cronies in the UK and then expel these oligarchs from our country as part of a much stronger sanctions regime.
“Second, recognise the existential threat posed by Putin to our Nato allies by immediately cancelling (the Prime Minister’s) own decision, his misguided decision, to cut our armed forces by 10,000 troops, and third, no longer tolerate international sporting or cultural events hosted in Russia.
READ MORE: Why is Russia invading Ukraine, what is Nato and which countries are members?
“Can I confirm what I think he implied… that he will push for this year’s Champions League final to be moved from St Petersburg? President Putin has made a terrible decision, will the Prime Minister make sure he pays a terrible price?”
Meanwhile on Thursday, Johnson said Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a “catastrophe for our continent”, as he called on world leaders to meet and plan a response.
The Prime Minister tweeted his remarks after chairing an urgent Cobra emergency committee meeting, as Moscow launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine, hitting cities and bases with air strikes or shelling.
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