Russian diplomats face expulsion from Britain

Adrian Blomfield
July 13, 2007
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BRITAIN is poised to expel Russian diplomats for the first time in a decade in protest at Moscow's refusal to extradite the chief suspect in the murder of a KGB defector.

The option is one of several being considered after Moscow formally refused to hand over Andrei Lugovoi, a suspect in the poisoning of former agent Alexander Litvinenko last November in London.

The expulsions would be reminiscent of former Cold War rows between Moscow and London and almost certainly prompt similar retaliation by the Kremlin.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain was reviewing its "range of co-operation" with Russia, and the Foreign Office would move officially to cool relations in the next few days.

British diplomats have declined to comment on what measures, including expulsions, might be taken. But a former diplomat familiar with Russia said it was entirely likely that Britain could decide to expel a handful of middle to low-ranking diplomats because other options are limited.

Britain no longer gives Russia direct aid, removing the possibility of slashing funding, while reducing co-operation in the business sphere would only hurt British investors. Britain is Russia's largest foreign investor, with interests of more than £33 billion ($A77.8 billion).

While expulsions could raise temperatures further, some commentators suggest they represent the best way for Britain and Russia to draw a line under the Litvinenko affair.

Given the seriousness of the incident, which exposed hundreds of people to the radioactive substance polonium-210, Britain is under pressure to respond robustly to the Kremlin's intransigence.

There have been no tit-for-tat ejections since 1996, when Russia expelled four diplomats accused of being spies, prompting Britain to retaliate in kind.

Other commentators say that whatever Britain's response, Russia is likely to react furiously.

President Vladimir Putin has called Britain's demand for Mr Lugovoi's extradition "stupid". Under the country's constitution, Russian nationals cannot be extradited.

Mr Brown's spokesman rejected an offer for Mr Lugovoi to be tried in Russia, saying Britain had no confidence in the fairness or impartiality of Russian courts.