Home Secretary James Cleverly has urged Russia to stop “malign activity” as he expelled an alleged spy who had been based at the country’s embassy in London.
The Russian defence attache, Col. Maxim Elovik, has been described by the Home Office as an “undeclared military intelligence officer.”
Mr. Cleverly told MPs on Wednesday he would be immediately expelled and several Russian diplomatic premises would also be closed.
He told Parliament: “Our message to Russia is clear. Stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity.”
Col. Elovik has been in London since 2014 and was pictured at wreath-laying ceremonies in 2020 and 2023 commemorating the millions of Russians who died in the two world wars.
Before coming to Britain, Col. Elovik served as an assistant military attache at Russia’s embassy in Washington.
Last month five people were charged with conspiring to commit espionage activities in Britain on behalf of Russia, the first prosecutions of this kind under the new National Security Act.
Dylan Earl, 20, and four other men are due to make their first appearance at the Old Bailey on Friday. They are accused of acting on behalf of Russia against Ukrainian businesses in London.
Mr. Earl is accused of being in contact with a handler in the Wagner Group before carrying out reconnaissance of targets “in relation to activity intended to benefit Russia.”
He is accused of recruiting and paying others to carry out an arson attack at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London connected with Ukrainian-linked businesses owned by Oddisey and Meest UK.
‘Pattern of Alleged Russian Malign Activity’
The Home Office said the measures announced on Wednesday were a response to a “pattern of alleged Russian malign activity across the UK and Europe” and were designed to, “target and dismantle Russian intelligence-gathering operations.”Mr. Cleverly said: “Today, in conjunction with the foreign secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.”
“We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK, including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defence section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes,” he added.
The home secretary also announced new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including “capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK.”
Cleverly Says Kremlin Will Spread ‘Conspiracy Theories’
Mr. Cleverly said he expected the Kremlin to accuse Britain of “Russophobia” and spread, “conspiracy theories and hysteria” in the wake of his actions.But he said, “This is not new and the British people and the British government will not fall for it, and will not be taken for fools by Putin’s bots, trolls and lackeys.”
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour “wholeheartedly” supported the measures and said: “We echo the home secretary’s strong condemnation of Russian interference and hostile activity here in the UK and throughout Europe.”
“Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security,” she added.
In the autumn Baroness Hallett is due to chair a public inquiry into the Salisbury poisonings of 2018.
The Russian government is believed to have targeted a former Russian agent, Sergei Skripal, at his home in Salisbury.
Mr. Skripal and his daughter survived but Ms. Sturgess, 44, died, apparently after finding a perfume bottle containing the Novichok in a rubbish bin.
Ms. Sturgess’ partner, Charlie Rowley, 45, also survived.
Two Russian suspects were identified by the police but they returned to Moscow and famously claimed they were only in Britain as tourists to visit Salisbury Cathedral.
