Spy posing as Russian diplomat to be expelled

A RUSSIAN spy will be expelled from the UK, the Home Secretary has said as he announced a raft of restrictions.

Moscow’s defence attache, described as an “undeclared military intelligence officer”, would be immediately excluded, while several Russian diplomatic premises would also be closed, James Cleverly said as he told MPs: “Our message to Russia is clear. Stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.”

The tougher measures were the latest step in response to a “pattern of alleged Russian malign activity across the UK and Europe” in a bid to “target and dismantle Russian intelligence-gathering operations”, the Home Office said.

It comes after five people were charged over conspiring to commit espionage activities in the UK on behalf of Russia under the National Security Act, the first prosecutions of this kind under the new laws.

Speaking in the Commons yesterday, Mr Cleverly said: “Today, in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

“I can tell the House that we will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer.

“We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK, including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defence section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes.

“We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.”

The Russian Ambassador had been summoned to relay the measures and to “reiterate that Russia’s actions will not be tolerated”.