Local MP David Davies has defended being paid £750 an hour to appear on a TV channel described as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ‘propaganda’ tool. ??The Conservative member for Monmouth received £3,000 plus expenses after four appearances between December last year and this September, on news channel RT, which is widely regarded by media watchdogs as a Kremlin-funded outlet dedicated to pro-Russia output.

Figures gleaned from the commons register of interest show that ten other MPs had received large payments from the station for their appearances.

Mr Davies said he did not regret appearing on Sam Delaney’s ‘News Thing’ saying, “The News Thing has given me a fair chance to explain my opinions on Brexit, immigration and transgender issues, for which I am grateful.

“Sadly, I have not received the same courtesy from the British Broadcasting Corporation. Instead, on several occasions, its highly paid presenters have criticised me by name without giving me a right of response.

“If any national BBC shows are willing to allow me to discuss Brexit, immigration, transgender laws, or climate change, then I shall be delighted to take part.”

Mr Davies added that the report by think-tank European Values had links to pro-EU bodies and and financial ties to billionaire currency speculator George Soros, who funds progressive causes across the globe.