© Sputnik/ Evgeny Biyatov
The UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) will review possible measures against RT broadcaster
in relation to the suspected poisoning of former officer of Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Sergei Skripal after UK Prime Minister Theresa May's speech at the Parliament on Wednesday, the regulator said in a statement on Monday.
"The Russian news channel RT broadcasts in the UK under licences issued by Ofcom as the broadcasting regulator ... We have heard the Prime Minister's statement in the House of Commons this afternoon and we await her further statement on Wednesday. We will then consider the implications for RT's broadcast licences," the statement read.
On Monday, several
UK parliament members called on the government to impose restrictive measures on
RT, including revocation of its broadcasting license in the country. May did not respond directly to these proposals, but noted that she would discuss the measures against Russia with the Parliament on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, May said that Russia was "highly likely" responsible for suspected
poisoning of Skripal, who reportedly also served as an agent for the UK secret intelligence service MI6. May said that the substance, used in the poisoning of Skripal, was identified as a military-grade nerve agent of the so-called Novichok group developed in Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called May's remarks a "circus show."
The National Security Council (NSC) is scheduled to hold a meeting on the Skripal case on Wednesday, after which May will tell the Parliament about the planned measures against Russia in respect to the case.
Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious last week on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury. Both of them remain in critical condition and are being treated for suspected exposure to a chemical.
Comment: This is beyond ridiculous. Russia had no reason to poison Skripal and there is no evidence that it was involved. But even in the unlikely case it had something to do with it, what has that got to do with RT?
More absurdities:
Here's more from Ofcom's statement, and RT's
response:
In a statement, Ofcom said: "As the independent UK broadcasting regulator, Ofcom has an ongoing duty to be satisfied that broadcast licensees remain fit and proper to hold their licences.
"We have today written to ANO TV Novosti, holder of RT's UK broadcast licences, which is financed from the budget of the Russian Federation. This letter explained that, should the UK investigating authorities determine that there was an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the UK, we would consider this relevant to our ongoing duty to be satisfied that RT is fit and proper."
"The letter to RT said that we would carry out our independent fit and proper assessment on an expedited basis, and we would write to RT again shortly setting out details of our process."
RT said in a statement that it disagreed with the position taken by Ofcom. "Our broadcasting has in no way changed this week from any other week, and continues to adhere to all standards.
"By linking RT to unrelated matters, Ofcom is conflating its role as a broadcasting regulator with matters of state. RT remains a valuable voice in the UK news landscape, covering vital yet neglected stories and voices, including those of the many MPs and other UK public figures who have been shut out of public discourse by the mainstream media."
It's totally mad. Here's the
Twitter buzz:
Labour MP Chris Bryant
called for RT's license to be revoked, despite having appeared on the network himself. If the Brits are this stupid and malevolent, they'll pay for it:
Barmy British Government threatens to ban RT UK! Zakharova responds: 'If London shuts down RT, no British media outlet will work in Russia'.
Comment: This is beyond ridiculous. Russia had no reason to poison Skripal and there is no evidence that it was involved. But even in the unlikely case it had something to do with it, what has that got to do with RT?
More absurdities:
Labour MP Chris Bryant called for RT's license to be revoked, despite having appeared on the network himself. If the Brits are this stupid and malevolent, they'll pay for it: Barmy British Government threatens to ban RT UK! Zakharova responds: 'If London shuts down RT, no British media outlet will work in Russia'.