UK expels Russian diplomat in escalating row over Moscow’s ‘malicious public smear campaign’

The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

• The UK is expelling a Russian diplomat and summoning Ambassador Andrey Kelin in a reciprocal move.
• It follows Russia's "unjustified" expulsion of a British diplomat in March and a subsequent "malicious public smear campaign".
• The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that such behaviour, including harassment and intimidation of diplomatic staff, is unacceptable.
• The UK has said it views Russia's repeated actions as part of a broader campaign of aggressive behaviour aimed at disrupting diplomatic work.
• The Government warned that any further action by Russia would be considered an escalation and met with a firm and proportionate response.