TV regulator Ofcom has been encouraged to review Russia Today’s ability to broadcast in the UK after the channel was accused of being Vladimir Putin’s “personal propaganda tool”.

In a letter to Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries described RT as “demonstrably part of Russia’s global disinformation campaign”.

Highlighting the Russian state-controlled TV network’s “biased reporting” about the Salisbury poisonings and the Syrian conflict, the Cabinet minister expressed her fears that RT “will also look to spread harmful disinformation about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine here in the UK”.

“While respecting Ofcom’s regulatory independence, I call on you to ensure your actions are timely and transparent to reassure the British public,” she wrote.

“It remains essential that Ofcom keeps the situation very carefully under review in such sensitive times and takes action where necessary.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the government’s contact with Ofcom as he spoke in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

“I believe the secretary of state for culture, media and sport has already asked Ofcom to review that matter,” he told MPs.

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“But what I will say is that we live in a democracy and we live in a country that believes in free speech.

“I think it’s important that we should leave it up to Ofcom rather than to politicians to decide which media organisations to ban.

“That’s what Russia does.”

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Mr Johnson made his comments in response to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s call for the UK to “do more to defeat Putin’s campaign of lies and disinformation”.

“Russia Today is his [Mr Putin’s] personal propaganda tool,” Sir Keir said at Prime Minister’s Questions.

“I can see no reason why it should be allowed to continue to broadcast in this country, so will the prime minister now ask Ofcom to review its licence?”

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In response to Ms Dorries, Dame Melanie said Ofcom had “already stepped up our oversight of coverage” of the Ukraine crisis by broadcasters in the UK.

“We are expediting complaints in this area as a matter of urgency and we will not hesitate to take swift action where necessary,” she wrote.

“It would not be acceptable for any of our licensees to broadcast one-sided propaganda.”

Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described herself as “appalled” that her predecessor, Alex Salmond, continued to host an RT show.

The former SNP leader, who last year formed the new pro-independence Alba Party, hosts “The Alex Salmond Show” each week.

“I’m appalled at Alex Salmond’s continued involvement with RT, I don’t think it’s any secret now that I don’t think he should ever have had a television show on RT, but it is even more unthinkable now that that should continue,” Ms Sturgeon told STV News on Wednesday.

She added that elected officials should not appear on the broadcaster.

Mr Salmond failed in his attempt to return to the Scottish Parliament in last year’s elections, at which his new party did not win any seats.

The ex-first minister has previously refused to say whether he believes Russia was behind the Salisbury poisonings.

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