Russia expels Moscow British diplomat accused of spying | World News

Russia has expelled a British diplomat whom Moscow accuses of being a spy.

The diplomat had his accreditation revoked and was ordered to leave the country within two weeks.

The FSB, Russia’s security service, claimed the British diplomat “provided false information about himself”.

Moscow also accused him of trying to gather information about the Russian economy during informal meetings.

The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said it had detected “the presence of undeclared intelligence”.

He added that the diplomat “carried out intelligence and subversive activities that threatened the security of the Russian Federation,” according to Russian media reports.

In a statement, the Ministry of Russian Affairs said Danae Dholakia, Britain’s Chargé d’Affaires in Russia, was summoned over allegations that a diplomat “deliberately provided false information about himself when applying for entry to our country”.

The statement said: “Russian authorities also received information indicating that this employee was a member of British intelligence services and identified evidence of his involvement in subversive intelligence work in our country.”

The report continued: “The UK was informed that several British diplomats deliberately provided false information about themselves which has prompted our strong response.

“They are also urged to convey to London a strong recommendation that British citizens, particularly embassy staff, provide only accurate information about their past when applying for visas.

“It was specifically emphasized that Moscow will not tolerate the undeclared activities of British intelligence officers in Russia, and our uncompromising position on this issue will continue to be formulated in accordance with national security interests.

“Furthermore, a warning was issued that if London escalates the situation, the Russian side will respond immediately.”

Russian state media published photos of diplomats accused of trying to obtain information.

“To avoid negative consequences, including criminal liability, the Russian FSB recommends that compatriots do not hold meetings with British diplomats,” the FSB said.

Britain rejected the claims as “nonsense” and accused Russia of carrying out an “aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment”.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: “The accusations Russia leveled today against our diplomats are complete nonsense.

“Russia has waged an increasingly aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats, leveling malicious and baseless accusations against their work.

“The UK does not support intimidation of British embassy staff and their families.”

Read more from Sky News:
Trump says he wants Iranian oil and can seize key islands
Fugitive accused of killing two police officers ‘shot dead’

When a British diplomat was expelled in January for spying, London branded the claims “baseless accusations”.

Western diplomats in Moscow say intrusive surveillance and harassment are common, and a guideline known as the “Moscow Rules,” developed by Western spies in the Soviet era to guard against complacency, has been updated for modern Russia.

Russia has imposed Soviet-style restrictions on most British diplomats, requiring them to disclose travel plans beyond a 75-mile radius.