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Russia warns UK over expulsions Russia warns UK over expulsions
(about 1 hour later)
The Kremlin has warned Britain it faces "serious consequences" after expelling four Russian diplomats from the UK.The Kremlin has warned Britain it faces "serious consequences" after expelling four Russian diplomats from the UK.
The move followed Moscow's refusal to hand over the former KGB agent accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko in London last year.The move followed Moscow's refusal to hand over the former KGB agent accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko in London last year.
Suspect Andrei Lugovoi, who denies involvement, claimed the charges against him had a "political subtext".Suspect Andrei Lugovoi, who denies involvement, claimed the charges against him had a "political subtext".
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain will make "no apologies" for expelling the four Russians.But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain will make "no apologies" for expelling the four Russians.
Mr Brown said that because "there is no forthcoming co-operation, then action has to be taken".Mr Brown said that because "there is no forthcoming co-operation, then action has to be taken".
The Foreign Office has not named the four Russian diplomats, but the BBC understands they are intelligence officers.The Foreign Office has not named the four Russian diplomats, but the BBC understands they are intelligence officers.
'Absolutely clear''Absolutely clear'
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus said that an equivalent Russian response to the expulsions is widely expected.
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.
We don't want to be provoked into a ping-pong game Dmitri PeskovSpokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin Analysis: Will the spat widen?We don't want to be provoked into a ping-pong game Dmitri PeskovSpokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin Analysis: Will the spat widen?
The radioactive isotope used to poison Mr Litvinenko was found in several places that Mr Lugovoi had visited in London.The radioactive isotope used to poison Mr Litvinenko 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.
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.
"In all the eight months that this row has been developing in earnest, I have not received a single official invitation from the official British authorities, and all those statements that the investigation was carried out competently are lies.""In all the eight months that this row has been developing in earnest, I have not received a single official invitation from the official British authorities, and all those statements that the investigation was carried out competently are lies."
On a visit to Berlin on Monday, Mr Brown said: "When a murder takes place, when a number of innocent civilians were put at risk as a result of that murder, and when an independent prosecuting authority makes it absolutely clear what is in the interests of justice, and there is no forthcoming co-operation, then action has to be taken."On a visit to Berlin on Monday, Mr Brown said: "When a murder takes place, when a number of innocent civilians were put at risk as a result of that murder, and when an independent prosecuting authority makes it absolutely clear what is in the interests of justice, and there is no forthcoming co-operation, then action has to be taken."
The prime minister added that he wanted a "good relationship" with Russia.The prime minister added that he wanted a "good relationship" with Russia.
Russia's Foreign Ministry chief spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said: "London's position is immoral.Russia's Foreign Ministry chief spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said: "London's position is immoral.
"Such provocative actions masterminded by the British authorities will not be left without an answer and cannot but entail the most serious consequences for Russian-British relations"."Such provocative actions masterminded by the British authorities will not be left without an answer and cannot but entail the most serious consequences for Russian-British relations".
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."
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
Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina said she was "very grateful" for the British government's actions and "proud to be a UK citizen".Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina said she was "very grateful" for the British government's actions and "proud to be a UK citizen".
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.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband told MPs: "We shall review the extent of our co-operation with Russia on a range of issues."Foreign Secretary David Miliband told MPs: "We shall review the extent of our co-operation with Russia on a range of issues."
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague and Liberal Democrat spokesman Michael Moore gave their backing to the government.Shadow foreign secretary William Hague and Liberal Democrat spokesman Michael Moore gave their backing to the government.
However, Labour backbencher Andrew Mackinlay said: "I am deeply concerned about the mood in this House which seems to be anti-Russia."However, Labour backbencher Andrew Mackinlay said: "I am deeply concerned about the mood in this House which seems to be anti-Russia."
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".