Downing Avenue has denied allegations {that a} British diplomat expelled from Russia was a spy.
Russian state-run information businesses reported that the nation’s safety service FSB accused the diplomat – whose picture was shared on Russian TV bulletins – of offering false info on his paperwork and finishing up espionage actions.
When requested if a tit-for-tat expulsion would happen, a No 10 spokesman mentioned they had been “contemplating” their response.
“To be clear, we refute these allegations” he mentioned, calling them “baseless.”
Russian overseas ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned the ministry had additionally summoned the British ambassador, Tass information company reported.
Footage exhibits the British ambassador’s automotive pulling as much as the Ministry of International Affairs in Moscow.
In keeping with Tass, the FSB says that the diplomat was a alternative for one in every of six UK diplomats expelled in August, additionally on espionage fees.
“This isn’t the primary time that [Vladimir] Putin’s authorities has made malicious, baseless accusations in opposition to our workers,” Downing Avenue mentioned.
“The UK authorities is unapologetic about defending our nationwide pursuits and can now reply in the end, and our embassy in Moscow will proceed its necessary work in Russia to help UK pursuits.”
It comes amid worsening relations between the UK and Russia for the reason that latter’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Final week it emerged the UK lifted restrictions on Ukraine utilizing British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia for the primary time.
President Vladimir Putin cited the transfer, alongside the launching of US-supplied longer-range missiles at Russian territory, as being behind Russia’s determination to launch a brand new hypersonic missile on the Ukrainian metropolis of Dnipro on Thursday.
Expulsions of diplomats have turn into more and more widespread for the reason that battle started.
Earlier this yr, British diplomat Capt Adrian Coghill was given per week to depart Russia, days after the Russian defence attaché was expelled from London for alleged espionage as an “undeclared navy intelligence officer”.
Extra British politicians and press have additionally been barred from coming into the nation.
On Tuesday, Russia added 30 extra to their “cease listing” for what it known as “hostile actions”.
Included within the listing are: Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, House Secretary Yvette Cooper, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Russia has beforehand banned British politicians and journalists, together with from the BBC, Sky Information and Channel 4.
In 2022, it banned now Prime Minister Keir Starmer and International Minister David Lammy, amongst different senior authorities officers. Chief of the Conservative social gathering Kemi Badenoch was additionally banned in the identical yr.
