A CITY leader is to make a formal apology after a bad-tempered exchange over a bid to oust a Russian propaganda outlet.

Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey accused a Conservative councillor of having a “brass neck” by bringing forward a motion urging Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce to “terminate” its relationship with Sputnik UK.

He said John McLellan was paid to write for "other news agencies" and so was attacking one of his competitors, before suggesting he was also using his position to meet developers.

Mr McLellan, a former journalist, is director of the Scottish Newspaper Society and has a regular column in the local paper.

Mr McVey said he had since met with Mr McLellan to “apologise for and retract” the comments, and would also be making a formal apology at the next full council meeting.

Edinburgh Council voted to ask the Chamber to “terminate its agreement with Sputnik forthwith”, with Mr McLellan branding it a “useful idiot” due to its relationship with the propaganda agency.

The Chamber accepted Sputnik as a corporate member earlier this year, pledging to help it "grow and raise its profile".

The move has since been condemned by representatives from every political party in Holyrood.

Mr McLellan also wanted the council to threaten to withdraw its association with the business body if it did not expel Sputnik, but this was voted down after Mr McVey branded it “pathetic bully boy tactics”.

The Chamber, which has previously vowed to review its relationship with Sputnik, did not respond to a request for comment.