Russia expels British diplomat after accusing him of spying

Russia has told a diplomat at the British Embassy in Moscow to leave within two weeks after authorities accused him of ‘subversive intelligence activities’.

The diplomat,described as the second secretary at the embassy by Russian state-owned media,is alleged to have provided fake details when applying for entry to the country.

He was also accused of trying to obtain sensitive information in unofficial meetings with economic experts.

A statement from the FSB spy agency said a decision had been made to revoke his accreditation and ‘order him to leave Russia within two weeks.’

It is the second time a British diplomat has been told to leave Moscow after being accused of spying by officials.

An ‘undeclared British intelligence officer’ was expelled from the embassy in January.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: ‘The accusations made today by Russia against our diplomats are completely unacceptable.

‘Russia has pursued an increasingly aggressive and coordinated campaign of harassment against British diplomats,pumping out malicious and completely baseless accusations about their work.

‘The UK does not stand for intimidation of British embassy staff and their families.’

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