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Russia row offices 'to stay shut' Russia row offices 'to stay shut'
(about 4 hours later)
Two offices of the British Council in Russia are likely to remain closed amid ongoing tensions between London and Moscow, council officials have said.Two offices of the British Council in Russia are likely to remain closed amid ongoing tensions between London and Moscow, council officials have said.
Sources have told the BBC there seems to be little appetite at the UK Foreign Office for further retaliation.Sources have told the BBC there seems to be little appetite at the UK Foreign Office for further retaliation.
The UK had refused demands to close the St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg offices until Russian security services told local staff their jobs were illegal.The UK had refused demands to close the St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg offices until Russian security services told local staff their jobs were illegal.
Russia has accused the cultural body of tax violations, which the UK denies.Russia has accused the cultural body of tax violations, which the UK denies.
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.On Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused Russia of "completely unacceptable" behaviour, following pressure from Moscow to shut the council offices.
The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, eventually closed their doors after Russian staff were called in by the Russian security services and interviewed. 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.
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.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.
The UK government is likely... to argue that closing British Council offices only damages Russia's reputation BBC correspondent Bridget KendallThe UK government is likely... to argue that closing British Council offices only damages Russia's reputation BBC correspondent Bridget Kendall
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.But council officials have now told the BBC that the offices will remain closed, in order to protect staff members.
A formal statement from the director of the British Council is expected on Thursday.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.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 poisoned 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 Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.Russia has refused 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.