The Foreign Office has withdrawn the accreditation of a Russian diplomat following the expulsion of a British diplomat from Moscow last year.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated that the Russian ambassador to the UK was called in for a discussion with a senior British official regarding the withdrawal of the diplomat’s accreditation.
“This action is a direct response to Russia’s unjustified and unfounded choice to revoke the accreditation of a British diplomat in Moscow in November,” the spokesperson indicated.
“The UK will not tolerate intimidation of our personnel in this manner; therefore, we are enacting reciprocal measures.
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“Any subsequent actions taken by Russia will be regarded as an escalation, and we will respond accordingly.”
Shortly after this declaration, Foreign Secretary David Lammy posted on X: “We have revoked the accreditation of a Russian diplomat due to Russia’s recent expulsion of a British diplomat.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding our national interests.
“I deliver a clear message to Russia – should you take any action against us, we will react.”
This follows the TASS state news agency’s report in November, which stated that a British Embassy employee in Moscow had their accreditation revoked “for deliberately providing false information upon entry into the Russian Federation” and was accused of espionage.
The TASS agency alleged that he had submitted false details to enter the nation and claimed that he was involved in espionage and sabotage activities.
It asserted that evidence was found indicating the diplomat’s participation in “reconnaissance and subversive actions that pose a threat to the security of the Russian Federation”.
The British diplomat expelled by Moscow in November was stationed at the embassy and had taken the place of one of six British intelligence officers expelled in August, according to TASS.
The Foreign Office also dismissed Russia’s claims that those six diplomats were involved in “spying and sabotage” as “groundless”.
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In May of the previous year, the UK also expelled Russia’s defense attache in London, Colonel Maxim Elovik, asserting he was an “undeclared military intelligence officer”.
The government further withdrew diplomatic status from various Russian-owned properties and imposed limitations on Russian diplomatic visas.
In retaliation, Russia expelled Britain’s defense attache in Moscow, Captain Adrian Coghill.
