Russia has expelled a British diplomat following what the UK Foreign Office has described as “malicious and baseless accusations” of spying. The unnamed diplomat has been given two weeks to leave the country, according to the Russian foreign ministry.
The ministry stated that it had received information “regarding the affiliation of a diplomatic employee at the embassy with the British secret service.” Danae Dholakia, the British deputy head of mission, was summoned to be informed of the expulsion.
Moscow warned that it would not “tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia” and promised a decisive “mirror” response if the UK escalates the situation. The UK Foreign Office dismissed the move as “out of desperation,” accusing the Kremlin of undermining diplomatic operations.
A Foreign Office 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.” The UK is considering its response.
Russia and the UK have periodically expelled each other’s diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. In March last year, Russia expelled a British diplomat and the spouse of another, prompting reciprocal action from London.
