They include the luxury 50-room Seacox Heath in Hawkhurst, Sussex which is used as a weekend retreat by Russian embassy staff, and the embassy’s trade and defence section in Highgate, north London, which Mr Cleverly said was believed to be a spy base.
Andrey Kelin, the Russian ambassador has been summoned to be told of the measures and to “reiterate that Russia’s actions will not be tolerated”, said the Home Office.
Sabotage and cyber attacks
Mr Cleverly told MPs there had been an escalating pattern of “malign” Russian activity across Europe including sabotage, espionage, cyber attacks, air space incursions and GPS jamming.
He expected the Kremlin to accuse the UK of “Russophobia” over the sanctions while spreading “conspiracy theories and hysteria” in the coming days. “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,” he said.
The Government would “look closely to see what response Russia puts forward to see if they seek to escalate this,” he added.
Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, said on Wednesday that Britain had decided to use “outright lies” to justify the restrictive measures.
“We have repeatedly warned London that any unfriendly actions will receive an inevitable commensurate response. Our response will be tough and measured,” she said.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
