Fact check: Conservatives have cheek to criticise Plaid over Russia

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood was under attack yesterday after she said she was “not convinced” by Theresa May’s response to the Salisbury poisoning.

“I do not trust the Tories in anything so I am afraid I cannot take the prime minister’s word on this, just like I cannot on the question of a power grab,” she told ITV.

The Conservatives were quick to pounce on her comments, accusing her comments of being “unbecoming and beyond childish”.

However, the Conservatives’ criticism of Plaid Cymru rang rather hollow, as unlike them the nationalist party does not have any politically embarrassing financial links with Russia.

As Political Scrapbook revealed in October, Tory MPs have taken four times more money for appearing on Russia today than even Labour MPs.

The party has also received £820,000 from people and companies linked to Russia in the past 20 months.

Here in Wales, both the current Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, and Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb took £5,000 each in donations from a Russian wind farm developer.

Monmouth MP David Davies was also among those Tory MPs taking fees for appearing on Russia Today.

Although Plaid Cymru politicians have appeared on Russia Today, they did not accept payment for doing so.

When asked they said: “No Plaid Cymru MPs have been paid to appear on Russia Today or any other Russian state broadcasters.”

The Conservatives may be critical of Leanne Wood’s words, but perhaps it’s their deeds that are important.