Vladimir Putin 'could ban BBC' if Britain ousts Russia Today

Vladimir Putin could ban the BBC in Russia if the UK takes action against Russia Today, cutting off millions from key information free from state propaganda, an MP has said.

The warning comes after the government asked broadcast regulator Ofcom to review content put out by the Kremlin-backed Russia Today (RT) in the UK.

In a letter to the watchdog, Culture secretary Nadine Dorries said RT "is demonstrably part of Russia's global disinformation campaign" during the ongoing Ukraine crisis, adding "it is essential that the UK looks to limit Russia's ability to spread their propaganda at home."

Ofcom said it will look at any complaints broadcast on the channel about the crisis "as a priority".

In response, the channel claimed ministers were undermining the supposed independence of the media regulator by asking for the review.

Speaking at PMQs on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said it was "important that we should leave it up to Ofcom rather than to politicians to decide which media organisations to ban."

He added: “That’s what Russia does.”

Sir Keir said RT was Putin’s “personal propaganda tool” which spread “lies and disinformation”, and added: “I can see no reason why it should be allowed to continue to broadcast in this country.”

Sir Keir said he was “very glad to hear that that review is now happening”.

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Despite the move being welcomed, others have warned a retaliation by Russia would likely be the banning of the BBC in their borders, stopping Russians from accessing information free from Putin's propaganda.

Tory MP Robert Largan warned that while RT is largely ignored by British audiences, making it a minimal problem in the fight against disinformation.

He tweeted: "I’d be cautious about banning RT. Putin would respond by banning the BBC in Russia, which actually cuts through his propaganda to millions. Meanwhile, RT in the UK is ignored by all apart from the likes of Richard Burgon."

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Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins echoed his thoughts, warning the effect of the BBC being ousted from Russia would be far more damaging that allowing RT to keep operating in Britain.

He said: "It should be noted that if RT is shut down in the UK then it's pretty much a certainty the BBC will be kicked out of Russia. Seeing barely anyone watches RT in the UK and they'd still produce their web content I'd rather keep them and still have the BBC operating inside Russia."

Anna Belkina, RT’s deputy editor in chief, issued a stinging response to UK politicians welcoming the review.

“Always a joy to see Western and particularly British politicians finally drop their hypocritical disguise in favour of open interference in institutions they touted as supposedly totally independent and wholly free from political pressure and interference," she said.

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Belkina said that despite political pressure Ofcom had not found any breaches of the Broadcasting Code by RT in the past 4 years.

RT was fined £200,000 in 2019 for a "a serious breach" of impartiality rules in regards to reporting of the Salisbury poisonings the conflict in Syria.

“The UK culture minister is now clearly directly interfering in institutions touted as supposedly wholly free from political pressure and influence, exposing the British government’s self-proclaimed commitment to such values as free speech and regulatory independence as nothing but a sham,” Belkina she added.