Russia expels 23 UK envoys in tit for tat

Russia has expelled 23 British diplomats and closed the British Council and the consulate in St Petersburg in a calculated retaliatory move against London, which has accused the Kremlin of orchestrating a nerve toxin attack on a former Russian double agent and his daughter in southern England.

Escalating a crisis in relations, Russia said it was also shutting down the activities of the British Council, which fosters cultural links between the two countries, and Britain's consulate-general in St Petersburg.

The Russian foreign ministry said on Saturday the 23 British diplomats had one week to leave the country.

The move follows Britain's decision on Wednesday to expel 23 Russian diplomats over the attack in the English city of Salisbury which left former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia Skripal, 33, critically ill in hospital.

Moscow announced the measures on the eve of a presidential election which incumbent Vladimir Putin should comfortably win.

The foreign ministry said Moscow's measures were a response to what it called Britain's "provocative actions and unsubstantiated accusations". It warned London it stood ready to take further measures in the event of more "unfriendly steps".

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain would consider its next steps with its allies in the coming days.

We will never tolerate a threat to the life of British citizens and others on British soil from the Russian government. We can be reassured by the strong support we have received from our friends and allies around the world," May told her Conservative Party's spring forum in London.

Reuters