Russia said on Thursday it was expelling a British diplomat, accusing him of working for the UK intelligence services, a claim rejected by London as unfounded.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) identified the diplomat as Gareth Samuel Davies, listed as a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow. The Russian foreign ministry said his accreditation had been revoked and that he had been given two weeks to leave the country, after the UK charge d’affaires was summoned and issued with a formal protest.
Britain’s Foreign Office said the allegations were “malicious and baseless” and that it was considering its response.
Relations between Russia and United Kingdom have deteriorated sharply in recent years, with both sides repeatedly expelling diplomats amid espionage accusations. Ties were already strained before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and have worsened since Britain became a key supporter of Kyiv.
Moscow warned London against retaliation, saying any response would be met with “symmetrical” measures. Britain said it was reviewing its options.
