THE independence referendum campaign in Inverclyde is to be shown on television — in RUSSIA.

Russian politicians are visiting the district next week to see how the campaign is going, and they will be accompanied by a TV crew who are making a documentary.

The visit was arranged by Russian speaker Beinn Irbhinn, who is Inverclyde organiser for the Scottish Socialist Party and a supporter of independence.

He said: ”For various reasons I spend time in Russia.

“I’ve made a number of contacts, and this has helped me to arrange for a delegation of Russians — mostly politicians — to visit Scotland as part of the Scottish Socialist Party’s referendum campaigning.

“All the delegation come from the Republic of Karelia, which is a semi-autonomous republic along the Russian border with Finland. We will be based in Inverclyde and will have some activity here, but we will also visit other areas in Scotland.

“Alexey Gavrilov, who sits in the Republic of Karelia parliament, which is roughly the equivalent of Holyrood, will lead a group of elected politicians from ‘A Just Russia’, a socialist party which is currently the third largest in the Russian Duma and is opposed to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“Alexey will speak at a number of pro-independence meetings across Scotland in support of the SSP and a ‘yes’ vote, one of them in Inverclyde.” Also coming to Inverclyde is Vladimir Nikolaevich, chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia — roughly the equivalent of First Minister — and a member of Putin’s United Russia party.

Mr Irbhinn said: “His reason for visiting is due to the Russian public’s general interest in the Scottish referendum.

“United Russia are not explicitly supporting a ‘yes’ vote, but neither are they being supportive of the other side.” Mr Irbhinn says that the visit to Inverclyde will help ‘destroy’ claims that an independent Scotland would somehow be isolated in the international arena.

He said: “The decision of the ruling party in Russia to send its people to Scotland shows how false the ‘no’ side’s claims actually are.

“This visit shows that, in fact, the international community is extremely interested in Scotland, and when we do vote for independence we will have no shortage of friends who could provide whatever assistance we may require — if any.

“Alexey Gavrilov and Vladimir Nikolaevich will also speak at some anti-fascist meetings that the SSP will be hosting while they are here. So although many of the policies of United Russia are policies that as a socialist I am uncomfortable with, there are various reasons why I am happy to welcome Vladimir Nikolaevich to Scotland.” Explaining how the TV coverage came about, Mr Irbhinn said: “My girlfriend was previously an actress and stand up comedian in Russia and was able to put me in contact with some TV people over there.

“A host of a politics show on TV Russia — which is the Russian equivalent of the BBC — became interested, and will accompany the delegation.

“They will obviously cover the Russian politicians’ visit as part of this documentary, but are also interested in reporting on local campaigning in Inverclyde.”