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Russia 'summons UK envoy' in row Russia summons UK envoy over row
(about 2 hours later)
The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the UK ambassador over the reopening of British Council offices, Russia's Interfax news agency reports. The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the UK ambassador amid an escalating row over the reopening of two British Council offices.
The UK embassy in Moscow declined to comment on the ambassador's schedule. The Council offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg reopened on Monday despite a government ban.
British Council offices reopened in the Russian cities of St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg despite a government ban. They were ordered to close last month in the latest move over the fatal poisoning of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko in London.
They were ordered to close last month in a deepening political row over the fatal poisoning of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko in London.
The Russian ban does not apply to the British Council's Moscow office.The Russian ban does not apply to the British Council's Moscow office.
"We never comment on the ambassador's programme," an embassy spokesperson told BBC News on Monday, referring to the Interfax report. The UK embassy in Moscow declined to comment on the schedule of the ambassador, Sir Tony Brenton.
Tense relations UK-RUSSIA ROW Nov 2006: Alexander Litvinenko dies in LondonMay 2007: UK accuses ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi of murderJuly: Russia refuses UK request to extradite Mr LugovoiJuly: UK expels four Russian diplomatsJuly: Russia expels four British embassy staffDecember: Russia tells British Council to shut two officesJan 2008: British Council re-opens both offices class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7141708.stm">Russia's new front
"We never comment on the ambassador's programme," an embassy spokesperson told BBC News on Monday.
But BBC Moscow correspondent Richard Galpin says the envoy will appear at the Russian foreign on Monday afternoon.
He says the escalating diplomatic crisis between the two countries is now coming to a head and it is not clear if either side is willing to back down.
'Political' row
The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, was accused of violating Russian tax rules.The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, was accused of violating Russian tax rules.
A spokesman for the Council insisted on Monday that its activities were "fully compliant with Russian and international law".A spokesman for the Council insisted on Monday that its activities were "fully compliant with Russian and international law".
"We believe we're caught up in a political matter," the spokesman told the BBC News website, adding that talks were going on through diplomatic channels in a bid to resolve the dispute."We believe we're caught up in a political matter," the spokesman told the BBC News website, adding that talks were going on through diplomatic channels in a bid to resolve the dispute.
"The British Council is a non-political organisation that engages in cultural relations and educational work in Russia with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding," the spokesman said."The British Council is a non-political organisation that engages in cultural relations and educational work in Russia with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding," the spokesman said.
The offices in Yekaterinburg are on the premises of the UK consulate-general.The offices in Yekaterinburg are on the premises of the UK consulate-general.
The row came on top of continuing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.The row came on top of continuing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.
The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.
When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit.When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit.
Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.