Britain is to kick out a Russian spy and close several buildings used by the Putin regime in a clampdown on its action in the UK, the Home Secretary said today.
James Cleverly told MPs that an ‘undeclared’ Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow‘s defence attaché and had been told to leave the country.
He also unveiled new clampdowns including a cap on the amount of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.
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.
It comes against a backdrop of the war in Ukraine and increasing fears of Russian espionage and sabotage across Europe.
The buildings which will lose their diplomatic status include Seacox Heath, which was built in 1871 for statesman George Goschen, but which has been in Russian hands since 1946.
For decades it has been ignored but when word got out it was an extension of the Russian embassy in London, residents, outraged over the invasion, sprayed pro-Ukrainian graffiti on the entrance.
The Russian Ambassador had been summoned to relay the measures and to ‘reiterate that Russia’s actions will not be tolerated’, according to the Home Office.
James Cleverly told MPs that an ‘undeclared’ Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow ‘s defence attaché and had been told to leave the country.
The buildings which will lose their diplomatic status include Seacox Heath, which was built in 1871 for statesman George Goschen, but which has been in Russian hands since 1946.
The Home Secretary told the Commons: ‘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.
He added that he expected Moscow to make accusations of Russophobia and spread conspiracy theories and ‘hysteria’ in response.
‘This is not new and the British people and the British Government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putin’s bots, trolls and lackeys,’ he told MPs.
‘Russia’s explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.
‘Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.’
Last night Mr Putin was worn in for a new six-year presidential term. He will overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving ruler since Empress Catherine the Great if he completes the term.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour ‘wholeheartedly’ supported the move, telling MPs: ‘We echo the Home Secretary’s strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe.
‘Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security.’
Conservative former minister Rehman Chishti questioned if the UK would bring in legislation to seize Russian assets, adding: ‘It’s absolutely crucial we do everything we can to cut off Putin’s finances and make sure that he pays for the reconstruction of Ukraine.’
Mr Cleverly replied: ‘We have absolutely made it clear, we will be incredibly imaginative, we will work hard to ensure that the regime and the people that have funded the brutal attack on Ukraine are also those that fund the rebuilding of Ukraine, and we work with our international partners to make that a reality.’