ALEX Salmond has responded to criticism around broadcasting on Russia Today after the Salisbury chemical attack.

Following the attempted murder in Salisbury of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, a barrage of newspaper columnists and a LibDem MSP have pressured Salmond to quit The Alex Salmond Show. Critics cite Russia's potential involvement in the chemical attack as a reason to cut ties with the broadcaster.

In his latest broadcast, the former First Minister ends the show by addressing these concerns.

He states: "I host this independently produced television show which is broadcast on RT International.

"Within the broadcasting laws which normally pertain in this country I can say what I like about any issue and so can any one of my interview guests who have included current heads of state and government as well as past prime ministers and presidents, MPs from different parties and baronesses, lords and knights of the realm. Not a single one of them has complained about being silenced because not a single one of them has been.

"I hold no brief for the Kremlin nor am I required to have. No-one has tried to influence the content of this show in any way, shape or form whatsoever.

"By definition RT has not been a 'propaganda station' because it is regulated under a UK license by Ofcom. Yes it has had breaches of the Ofcom code but so have Sky, ITV and the BBC! For some however independent regulation is not enough.

"Newspapers who objected to even the mildest of statutory regulation of their own industry now think that independent regulation is somehow inadequate for broadcasting and should be replaced by effective state censorship.

"The chemical poisoning in Salisbury was a heinous crime and should be universally condemned. The best way to deal with crime is to take the suspects when identified through the courts domestic and international. The UK Government is totally convinced that the Russian state is involved and are therefore entitled to take a range of additional measures diplomatic and economic. Of course it is much more effective to operate in concert with friend and allies.

"To succeed the evidence has to be overwhelming and the case cast iron as the leader of the opposition correctly pointed out to the Prime Minister. He didn’t get much support for making that point in the House of Commons but that does not make him wrong. Pursuing the case internationally is essential and you are unlikely to succeed at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons or at the United Nations without the production of such conclusive evidence. When the UK Government produces that evidence then the Russian government will have no alternative but to answer.

"Meanwhile unilateral domestic measures which could still have real impact are those which follow the money whether it be the Magnitsky Act or something even more rigorous and far reaching which tackles the ill gotten gains of the few instead of the general sanctions which hurt the many.

"But don’t shut down TV stations because your standpont is so uncertain that you must exclude other perspectives. Between Monday and yesterday the Prime Minister sensibly drew back from that proposal but nor should this be attempted by indirect pressure on an independent regulator.

"To censure would make a travesty of the concept of nation speaking unto nation, a mockery of freedom of speech and it would portray an image of a country lost in self doubt.

"It would also strike a fatal bargain. Liberal democracies don’t succeed in international confrontations by sacrificing their dearest held values of freedom of speech."

Salmond's latest show also addresses the issue of human rights in Russia, featuring an interview with LGBT campaigner Peter Tatchell on his experiences.

Tatchell was attacked while supporting the rights of gay activists attempting to hold a Pride event in Moscow.

The Alex Salmond Show will be broadcast tonight at 6:30pm and 11:30pm on Russia Today.