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Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Belkina defended RT News, of which she is the Deputy Editor, following Labour Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens’ call for Ofcom to investigate the Russian news outlet in the UK. But she was met with a furious Nick Robinson who blasted: “Given that journalists are prosecuted in Moscow, isn’t it preposterous to come onto the BBC and claim that the Kremlin is funding a channel in order to promote alternative points of view and independent journalism?”

The RT journalist replied: “First of all, we are not funded by the Kremlin nor are we owned by the Russian Government.

“We are an independent, fully editorially independent news outlet, publicly funded just like the BBC as a matter of fact.

“And it is our journalists that are frequently coming under attack, literally under physical threats and attacks in various western countries.”

“When did you last criticise President Putin, if you’re independent?”, Mr Robinson asked.

Ms Belkina replied: “There is criticism of things going on in Russia on RT daily.”

The BBC host asked again: “When did you last criticise President Putin?”

She replied: “I don’t go on air but I’m sure there is criticism of some government policies that are happening literally today.”

Mr Robinson insisted for a more direct answer for the third time. To which she repeated: “I don’t go on RT. I don’t personally go on air to criticise Putin.”

Frustrated, the BBC host concluded the interview saying: “Okay, get in touch with me. We’ve got to the news and weather now but you get in touch with me.

“You tell me when there’s last been criticism of President Putin or all the Kremlin on RT and I will happily pass it on to our listeners.”

The clash comes as the Labour Party has called for Ofcom to review the broadcast licence of the Russian news outlet amid row over disinformation.

Labour’s Jo Stevens has written to the regulator’s chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes calling for a review RT’s licence following the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) report which looked into the role of the Russian state in UK politics.

She said: “The long-awaited Russia report sets out in black and white issues that Ofcom has already identified when it fined £200,000 for its biased reporting of the Novichok attack in Salisbury at the hands of the Russian state.

“This worrying report spells out the role that RT plays in the spread of disinformation and attempts at broader political influence overseas, by Russia.

“I am writing to request that Ofcom urgently reviews RT’s licence to broadcast within the UK in the light of this report.”

Ms Stevens has also asked Dame Melanie for a meeting to discuss her concerns.

The long-awaited ISC report outlined the role played by RT and Sputnik in spreading disinformation and attempts at broader political influence overseas.

It follows a ruling earlier this year in the High Court which upheld Ofcom’s fine of the broadcaster of £200,000.

In his judgment handed down in March, Lord Justice Dingemans said that biased reporting of the Novichok attack in Salisbury at the hands of the Russian state caused “actual and potential harm”.

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The Home Secretary will propose new laws against foreign interference amid a storm over Russia’s influence in the UK.

Priti Patel has responded, telling the Daily Express she is working on a Bill which will bring tougher sanctions against spies and their states.

She said: “Security is what we are about – protecting our people, our country, our state.”

A former head of international terrorism intelligence at the Cabinet Office welcomed the news, saying the UK’s guard against Moscow “has increasingly dropped”.

Richard Kemp wrote in the Express: “Vitally important now are robust measures not only to defend against Russian aggression but to allow our security services to take the offensive against their depredations.”

The interview comes days after the ISC released the long-delayed report which argued the UK had “underestimated” the threat posed by Moscow.

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