Russia kicks out British diplomat accused of spying

Russia has kicked out a British diplomat that Moscow has accused of spying.

The diplomat had his accreditation revoked and was told to leave the country in two weeks.

Russia's counterintelligence agency, the FSB, claimed the British diplomat "provided false information about himself".

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

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The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said it had detected an "undeclared intelligence presence".

It added the diplomat was "carrying out intelligence and subversive activities that threaten the security of the Russian Federation", according to Russian media.

'Moscow will not tolerate activities of undeclared British intelligence officers'

In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Affairs said Britain's most senior diplomat in Russia, Danae Dholakia, was summoned over the claims the diplomat had "knowingly provided false information about himself when applying for entry into our country".

The statement read: "Russian authorities also received information indicating that this employee belonged to the British intelligence services and identified evidence of his involvement in subversive intelligence work in our country."

It continued: "The British side was informed that previously uncovered instances of some British diplomats deliberately providing false information about themselves had already prompted our harsh response.

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

"It was particularly emphasized that Moscow will not tolerate the activities of undeclared 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 immediately respond accordingly."

Earlier this month, Russia's ambassador to Britain denied that poison from a dart frog was used to kill opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Andrey Kelin told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that the death had "nothing to do with us".

Mr Navalny, 47, was killed while imprisoned in a Russian penal colony in 2024.