LONDON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The British Foreign Office said Thursday that Russia's accusation that a British diplomat stationed in Russia is a spy is "malicious and baseless," adding that it is "carefully considering" a response.
Sky News quoted a Foreign Office spokesperson as saying this is not the first time Russia has made such accusations against British diplomatic personnel, adding that such targeting undermines basic conditions for diplomatic missions to operate.
The Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday that Russia has decided to expel a British embassy employee for alleged affiliation with the British special services. The ministry said it summoned the British charge d'affaires in Russia on Thursday and lodged a strong protest regarding the issue.
The ministry has decided to revoke the accreditation of the employee and ordered him to leave Russia within two weeks. ■