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Russia row offices 'to stay shut' Russia row offices work suspended
(about 2 hours later)
Two British Council offices in Russia are likely to remain closed amid tensions between London and Moscow. The British Council has suspended work at two of its Russian offices, amid tensions between London and Moscow.
Council sources have told the BBC there seems to be little appetite at the UK Foreign Office for further retaliation. Its chief executive Martin Davidson confirmed the move, which comes after its Russian staff were called in for interviews with the security service.
Demands to close the St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg offices had been rejected - but Russian security services have now told staff their jobs are illegal. That had made it impossible to carry on work from its St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg offices, he said.
It is part of a row about UK attempts to extradite a Russian businessman over the death of an ex-KGB agent in London. Britain had refused Russian demands to close them, amid a wider row about the murder of an ex-KGB agent in London.
The Russian authorities have made it impossible for us to operate in St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg Martin DavidsonBritish Council chief executive Full British Council statement
The British Council found itself at the centre of tensions. The Russian government had ordered it to close its two offices outside Moscow, accusing it of tax violations - denied by Britain.The British Council found itself at the centre of tensions. The Russian government had ordered it to close its two offices outside Moscow, accusing it of tax violations - denied by Britain.
In a statement, Mr Davidson accused the Russian government of initiating "a campaign of intimidation against our staff" in the two offices.
He said more than 20 Russian staff had been called to attend interviews with the FSB security service and ten more were visited at their homes late at night by Russian tax police.
Cultural tiesCultural ties
On Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused Russia of "completely unacceptable" behaviour, following pressure from Moscow to shut the council offices. "The interviews had little to do with their work and were clearly aimed at exerting undue pressure on innocent individuals," he said.
He is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons at about 1215 GMT about the situation. "Our paramount consideration is the wellbeing of our staff and I feel we cannot continue our work without significant risk to them.
The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, eventually closed its doors after Russian staff were called in by the Russian security services and interviewed. "The Russian authorities have made it impossible for us to operate in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg so I have taken the decision to suspend operations in both cities."
St Petersburg office director Stephen Kinnock - the son of former Labour leader Neil - was also followed, stopped and released by authorities on Tuesday after he had been accused of driving the wrong way up a one-way street and of smelling of alcohol. On Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused Russia of "completely unacceptable" behaviour - he is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons imminently.
The UK government is likely... to argue that closing British Council offices only damages Russia's reputation BBC correspondent Bridget Kendall In addition to the staff interviews - St Petersburg office director Stephen Kinnock - the son of former Labour leader Neil - was also followed, stopped and released by authorities on Tuesday after he had been accused of driving the wrong way up a one-way street and of smelling of alcohol.
Up until now the UK government has been defiant, insisting all British Council activities in Russia are entirely legal.Up until now the UK government has been defiant, insisting all British Council activities in Russia are entirely legal.
But council officials have now told the BBC that the offices will remain closed, in order to protect staff members. Sources at the council have told the BBC there does not appear to be much appetite for retaliation at the Foreign Office, where there is a recognition that Britain has few options left in the row.
A formal statement from the director of the British Council is expected on Thursday.
Sources have told the BBC there does not appear to be much appetite for retaliation at the Foreign Office, where there is a recognition that Britain has few options left in the row.
Moral high groundMoral high ground
Instead the UK government is likely to claim the moral high ground, arguing that closing British Council offices only damages Russia's reputation and deprives ordinary Russians of a "much valued" cultural link, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said.Instead the UK government is likely to claim the moral high ground, arguing that closing British Council offices only damages Russia's reputation and deprives ordinary Russians of a "much valued" cultural link, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said.
The row is part of the ongoing dispute between Russia and the UK over the death of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210 in London, in November 2006.The row is part of the ongoing dispute between Russia and the UK over the death of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210 in London, in November 2006.
Russia has refused to hand over businessman and former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.Russia has refused to hand over businessman and former KGB agent 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.
Mr Lugovoi, who is now a member of the Russian parliament, says he has been framed and denies any involvement in Mr Litvinenko's murder.Mr Lugovoi, who is now a member of the Russian parliament, says he has been framed and denies any involvement in Mr Litvinenko's murder.