British diplomat expelled from Russia after ‘baseless’ accusation of being a spy

Original article by Robyn Vinter and agency

A British diplomat has been expelled from Russia over what the UK Foreign Office described as “malicious and baseless accusations” of being a spy.

The diplomat, who was not named, had two weeks to leave the country, the Russian foreign ministry said after it received information “regarding the affiliation of a diplomatic employee at the embassy with the British secret service”.

A translation of a post on the ministry’s Telegram channel said the British deputy head of mission, Danae Dholakia, had been summoned to be informed the diplomat was being expelled.

The ministry said Moscow would not “tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia” and Russia would respond decisively if the UK “escalates the situation”.

“A warning was also issued that if London escalates the situation, the Russian side will give a decisive ‘mirror’ response,” it added.

The UK Foreign Office said Moscow’s actions came “out of desperation” and that the UK was considering its response.

A spokesperson said: “This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff.

“Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation, and actions like this undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to operate. We are carefully considering our options in response.”

Russia and the US pledged to rebuild staffing levels at their embassies early last year as part of a charm offensive on Moscow by the US president, Donald Trump, which was roundly criticised in Europe.

Russia and the UK have periodically expelled each other’s diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. Most recently, Russia expelled a British diplomat and the spouse of another in March last year, claiming the pair had been spies.

In response, the UK expelled a Russian diplomat, with the then foreign secretary, David Lammy, accusing Moscow of waging a “relentless and unacceptable campaign of intimidation” against British embassy staff. He also criticised Russia’s “repeated attempts to threaten UK security”.