Russia expels British diplomat over spying allegations
The British diplomat has been ordered to leave the country due to espionage charges, the latest in a string of embassy staff being expelled from both directions.
According to state media reports, the Federal Security Service (FSB) claims that the man obtained incorrect information when applying to enter the country, as well as seeking confidential information during informal economic meetings.
The diplomat's licence has been withdrawn, and they have been asked to leave the country within two weeks.
A spokesperson for the United Kingdom Foreign Office called the move complete nonsense
and charged Russia with an "aggressive and co-ordinated campaign of abuse against British diplomats.
Russia has been
puming out malicious and utterly baseless allegations regarding their jobs,
the group said in a tweet.
The United Kingdom would not tolerate bullying of British diplomatic employees and their families,
they said.
According to state news service Tass, the diplomat intentionally gave false information
when applying for a licence to enter Russia, and signs of intelligence activity
were found.
His name has also been posted in Russian state media.
Following the dismissal, UK charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where she reportedly left anonymously.
This is the latest in a string of tit-for-tat responses from Russia and the United Kingdom.
Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Russia have deteriorated in recent years, with both countries expelling a number of each other's diplomats since Russia's complete takeover of Ukraine in 2022.
Earlier this year, Russia barred a British diplomat from the country due to espionage charges.
Russia dismissed two British officials over espionage charges in March 2025, with the UK Foreign Office accusing Moscow of malicious and baseless accusations
against its employees.
The United Kingdom has withdrawn accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, saying that it would "not stand for coercion of British embassy employees and their families.
