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Russia warns UK over expulsions Russia warns UK over expulsions
(about 1 hour later)
Russia's deputy foreign minister has said Britain's expulsion of four diplomats from London could jeopardise co-operation on counter-terrorism.Russia's deputy foreign minister has said Britain's expulsion of four diplomats from London could jeopardise co-operation on counter-terrorism.
Alexander Grushko said the move - a response to the Alexander Litvinenko murder row - would complicate "vitally important" security issues.Alexander Grushko said the move - a response to the Alexander Litvinenko murder row - would complicate "vitally important" security issues.
He added: "We are being punished for observing our own constitution."He added: "We are being punished for observing our own constitution."
The Foreign Office said it had set out its position adding: "No retaliation on Russia's behalf is justified."The Foreign Office said it had set out its position adding: "No retaliation on Russia's behalf is justified."
A full statement is expected from Moscow, which has warned Britain to expect "serious consequences".A full statement is expected from Moscow, which has warned Britain to expect "serious consequences".
KGB agentKGB agent
The expulsion of four diplomats follows Moscow's refusal to hand over former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi, who is accused of murdering Mr Litvinenko in London last year. Mr Lugovoi denies involvement.The expulsion of four diplomats follows Moscow's refusal to hand over former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi, who is accused of murdering Mr Litvinenko in London last year. Mr Lugovoi denies involvement.
Mr Grushko said if Russia had expelled four diplomats for every extradition request Britain had turned down recently, it would mean 80 UK diplomats being sent home.Mr Grushko said if Russia had expelled four diplomats for every extradition request Britain had turned down recently, it would mean 80 UK diplomats being sent home.
It is obvious that the policy which is being pursued by Britain is going to complicate the terrorist, the security issues Alexander GrushkoIt is obvious that the policy which is being pursued by Britain is going to complicate the terrorist, the security issues Alexander Grushko
He said London had said it would not maintain contacts with Russia's Federal Security Service.He said London had said it would not maintain contacts with Russia's Federal Security Service.
However, the UK had said it was prepared to co-operate on counter-terrorism, he added.However, the UK had said it was prepared to co-operate on counter-terrorism, he added.
"These are mutually exclusive statements taking into account the central role the federal security service takes in fighting terrorism both internationally and domestically," said Mr Grushko."These are mutually exclusive statements taking into account the central role the federal security service takes in fighting terrorism both internationally and domestically," said Mr Grushko.
"It is obvious that the policy which is being pursued by Britain is going to complicate the terrorist, the security issues, which are vitally relevant and important for Britain and Russia and the wider world.""It is obvious that the policy which is being pursued by Britain is going to complicate the terrorist, the security issues, which are vitally relevant and important for Britain and Russia and the wider world."
'Powder dry''Powder dry'
He also said the visa measures announcements would make things difficult for ordinary Russians - the UK has said they would only affect government-sponsored visas, not those of ordinary Russians.He also said the visa measures announcements would make things difficult for ordinary Russians - the UK has said they would only affect government-sponsored visas, not those of ordinary Russians.
BBC correspondent James Rodgers in Moscow said the statement appeared to be a measured approach, rather than a retaliatory measure.BBC correspondent James Rodgers in Moscow said the statement appeared to be a measured approach, rather than a retaliatory measure.
He said it seemed aimed at making the British seem unreasonable, and Moscow appeared to be "keeping its powder dry".He said it seemed aimed at making the British seem unreasonable, and Moscow appeared to be "keeping its powder dry".
It's important that the very, very deeply unsatisfactory nature of this event is well demonstrated Sir Malcolm RifkindFormer foreign secretary Analysis: Will the spat widen? Russian media annoyed Russia-UK disputesIt's important that the very, very deeply unsatisfactory nature of this event is well demonstrated Sir Malcolm RifkindFormer foreign secretary Analysis: Will the spat widen? Russian media annoyed Russia-UK disputes
Asked why there was not yet any formal response, the Russian ambassador to Britain, Yuri Fedotov, said: "It takes time, we are serious people, we are not rushing."Asked why there was not yet any formal response, the Russian ambassador to Britain, Yuri Fedotov, said: "It takes time, we are serious people, we are not rushing."
He later told the BBC it was "hard to be optimistic" about the state of British-Russian relations.He later told the BBC it was "hard to be optimistic" about the state of British-Russian relations.
"I hope in the long run our relations will be restored but [this] is not the best moment in the history of our bilateral relations," he added."I hope in the long run our relations will be restored but [this] is not the best moment in the history of our bilateral relations," he added.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official spokesman said he had not yet received a formal response from Moscow, but when he did it would be "considered carefully".Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official spokesman said he had not yet received a formal response from Moscow, but when he did it would be "considered carefully".
'Political subtext''Political subtext'
He added: "It's entirely a matter for the Russians how and when they do respond. We haven't seen any response.He added: "It's entirely a matter for the Russians how and when they do respond. We haven't seen any response.
"We think this individual should be extradited and should stand trial in a British court.""We think this individual should be extradited and should stand trial in a British court."
Mr Litvinenko, another former KGB agent, died of exposure to radioactive polonium-210 in London in November 2006.Mr Litvinenko, another former KGB agent, died of exposure to radioactive polonium-210 in London in November 2006.
The radioactive isotope used to poison him was found in several places that Mr Lugovoi had visited in London.The radioactive isotope used to poison him was found in several places that Mr Lugovoi had visited in London.
But Mr Lugovoi told Russian television that the outcome of the inquiry had been predetermined.But Mr Lugovoi told Russian television that the outcome of the inquiry had been predetermined.
KEY EVENTS IN CASE 1 November 2006: Alexander Litvinenko meets Andrei Lugovoi and another Russian at a London hotel 23 November 2006: Litvinenko dies in a London hospital24 November 2006: A Litvinenko statement accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death. Experts say Litvinenko was poisoned 6 December 2006: UK police say they are treating the death as murder 22 May 2007: Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Lugovoi's extradition from Russia Full timeline of events Send us your reactionKEY EVENTS IN CASE 1 November 2006: Alexander Litvinenko meets Andrei Lugovoi and another Russian at a London hotel 23 November 2006: Litvinenko dies in a London hospital24 November 2006: A Litvinenko statement accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death. Experts say Litvinenko was poisoned 6 December 2006: UK police say they are treating the death as murder 22 May 2007: Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Lugovoi's extradition from Russia Full timeline of events Send us your reaction
He said: "The British authorities have in effect emphasised yet again that the Litvinenko case actually has a political subtext."He said: "The British authorities have in effect emphasised yet again that the Litvinenko case actually has a political subtext."
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov said: "We don't want to be provoked into a ping-pong game, although of course the Russian side will provide a necessary response."Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov said: "We don't want to be provoked into a ping-pong game, although of course the Russian side will provide a necessary response."
Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, the Russians have the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, the Russians have the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.
The UK has the right to request Mr Lugovoi be tried in Russia, but the UK's director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has already turned down the offer.The UK has the right to request Mr Lugovoi be tried in Russia, but the UK's director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has already turned down the offer.
The Conservative MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind was foreign secretary the last time Russian diplomats were expelled and backed the government's response.The Conservative MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind was foreign secretary the last time Russian diplomats were expelled and backed the government's response.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Of course it will not produce the result we would ideally like, but it's important that the very, very deeply unsatisfactory nature of this event is well demonstrated."He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Of course it will not produce the result we would ideally like, but it's important that the very, very deeply unsatisfactory nature of this event is well demonstrated."
The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be tried for murder by "deliberate poisoning".The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be tried for murder by "deliberate poisoning".