Chris Williamson is no stranger to appearing on Russia Today, and it seems the Corbynista MP is not going to break the habit any time soon. Or could he? The latest register of interests reveals that Williamson landed himself £300 for a TV appearance back in January. So where was the money from? Williamson declared that the cash was paid by Studio Sixty Billion, the producers of Russia Today show ‘Sam Delaney’s News Thing’, which he popped up on earlier this year.
That appearance was, of course, before John McDonnell urged Labour MPs to have nothing to do with Russia Today in the wake of the Salisbury poisoning. And after the shadow chancellor’s intervention, Williamson does indeed appear to have changed his tune on the channel, but not for the reason Mr S. thought. When asked about his appearance on Russia Today, Williamson said it was a ‘scandal’ that he wasn’t paid as highly as other MPs who had been on the show:Mr S thinks Williamson has a point: while Davies received £500 for 90 minutes’ work, the Labour MP had to make do with £200 less – even though he toiled for an extra half hour. Williamson clearly isn’t happy, telling Mr S.:‘The scandal here is that RT offer preferential rates to Tory MPs. Philip Davies MP was paid £500 to appear on ‘News Thing’.’
Could that be an end to Williamson’s Russia Today appearances?‘I thank the Spectator for bringing RT’s preferential rates to my attention and I will be seeking advice from my trade union.’
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