The UK will be “unapologetic” in standing up to Vladimir Putin, David Lammy said after the Foreign Office stripped a Russian diplomat’s accreditation.
The move was a tit-for-tat response after Moscow expelled a British diplomat it accused of spying, a claim dismissed as “baseless” by the Foreign Office.
Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy said the UK’s decision to respond by revoking a Russian diplomat’s accreditation sent a clear message.
Russian ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin was summoned to the Foreign Office to be informed of the move by the Government.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We have summoned the Russian ambassador for a meeting with a senior British official to revoke the accreditation of a Russian diplomat.
“This is in response to Russia’s unprovoked and baseless decision to strip the accreditation of a British diplomat in Moscow in November.
“The UK will not stand for intimidation of our staff in this way and so we are taking reciprocal action.
“Any further action taken by Russia will be considered an escalation and responded to accordingly.”
Mr Lammy said: “We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests.
“My message to Russia is clear – if you take action against us, we will respond.”
Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin was summoned to the Foreign Office (Aaron Chown/PA)
In November, Russia expelled a British diplomat it claimed was a spy.
The official had his accreditation revoked and was ordered to leave the country within two weeks, according to local reports citing Russian security service the FSB.
The diplomat was alleged to have been involved in “reconnaissance and subversive work that threatens the security of the Russian Federation” – claims dismissed as unfounded by the Foreign Office.
Mr Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has placed an increasing strain on relations between the UK and the Kremlin.
The revocation of the diplomat’s status is the latest sign that the Government is prepared to publicly react to Russian activity.
Last month, the Government revealed a nuclear-powered attack submarine had been used to warn off a Russian spy ship loitering near critical undersea infrastructure.