Russian diplomat expelled from UK in response over espionage row

LONDON: The United Kingdom has expelled a Russian diplomat in response to Moscow’s earlier decision to remove a British embassy official and accuse him of economic espionage, the UK Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

A British government spokesperson strongly rejected Russia’s allegations made in March, calling them baseless, unjustified and part of a wider campaign of intimidation.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of our diplomatic staff,” the spokesperson said.

According to officials, the Russian ambassador in London was summoned to the Foreign Office and informed that the accreditation of a Russian diplomat had been revoked. The official was not named.

The UK also warned that any further action by Russia would be seen as escalation and would be met with a firm and proportionate response.

The Russian Embassy in London has not yet issued a response.