THE Liberal Democrats have condemned their former leader for appearing on the same Kremlin  TV channel the party condemned as a pro-Putin propaganda outlet.

Sir Vince Cable, who led the UK LibDems from 2017 to 2019, apeared on the RT channel’s Alex Salmond Show this morning as Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine.

The half-hour interview, which saw Sir Vince promote his new book Money and Power, was recorded on Wednesday morning as the invasion appeared imminent.  

Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called his decision “entirely wrong”. 

After being criticised, Sir Vince said he totally condemned Russia's action and had now asked RT "not to broadcast or make use of the interview".

Sir Vince's appearance came just a day after Scottish LibDem MP Jamie Stone condemned Mr Salmond in the House of Commons for continuing to appear on RT.

Mr Stone said it was an “absolute disgrace” that the former First Minister and advisor to the Queen was on a network “that exists to parrot pro-Putin propaganda”.

Later, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called for Mr Salmond’s status as a Privy Councillor to the Queen to be revoked because of his link to the “Russian propaganda broadcaster RT”.

However the strong criticism from the LibDems did not prevent Sir Vince from appearing on the same channel today.

Although live coverage of Russia’s invasion replaced the usual 730am showing of Mr Salmond’s show, the pre-recorded programme was aired online.

Facing criticism and accusations of hypocrisy, Mr Cole-Hamilton tweeted: “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.

“No elected Scottish Liberal Democrat will appear on RT.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin is today facing worldwide condemnation for ordering a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with air and ground attacks across the country of 44million people.

In response to the criticism, Sir Vince said: “My interview was about the paperback version of my book Money And Power, and my earlier novel Open Arms, and had nothing to do with the security situation and Ukraine.

“I totally condemn the Russian invasion… I was always critical of the failure of the British Government to take tougher action against Russian financial interests in the UK and fully support Ed Davey’s comments on sanctions.

“At the time that I agreed to the interview there was every hope in Europe that today’s invasion could be avoided.

“But for the avoidance of doubt I have asked RT not to broadcast or make use of the interview.”

A UK LibDem spokesperson said: "

a Lib Dem spokesperson said: “Vince has many views which the party has always valued, but appearing on RT is wrong.

“As a leader his strong criticism of the Salisbury incident and Russian oligarchs in the UK are on the record.”