Russia accuses British diplomats of spying

By Reuters

Russia’s intelligence services accused British embassy officials on Monday of spying in Moscow after state television said diplomats had used a transmitter in a fake rock to secure state secrets.

“Yes. I can confirm that everything that was shown was true and based on our information,” a spokesman for FSB intelligence told Reuters.

“The diplomats were shown to be involved in activities that were incompatible with their diplomatic status,” he said, using diplomatic jargon to refer to spying.

London’s Foreign Office denied any improper conduct.

Russian state television on Sunday broadcast video footage of what it said were British diplomats spying through a transmitter in an imitation rock on a Moscow street and then downloading classified information from it.

TV said at least part of the footage had been shot in autumn last year.

“We are concerned and surprised at these allegations,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. “We reject any allegation of improper conduct in our dealing with Russian NGOs (non-governmental organisations).

“It is well known that the UK government has financially supported projects implemented by Russian NGOs in the field of human rights and civil society.

“All our assistance is given openly and aims to support the development of a healthy civil society in Russia.”

© Reuters Limited