UPDATE 1-UK expels Russian diplomat in tit-for-tat response to Moscow's espionage claim

‌Britain's foreign ​ministry said on Wednesday it had expelled a Russian diplomat ‌in a reciprocal move after Russia last month expelled a British embassy official in Moscow and accused him ‌of economic espionage. A government spokesperson said Britain strongly condemned Russia's ‌actionsin March, describing the accusations as unjustified and dismissing Russia's allegations as baseless and part of a campaign of intimidation.

‌Britain's foreign ​ministry said on Wednesday it had expelled a Russian diplomat ‌in a reciprocal move after Russia last month expelled a British embassy official in Moscow and accused him ‌of economic espionage.

A government spokesperson said Britain strongly condemned Russia's ‌actionsin March, describing the accusations as unjustified and dismissing Russia's allegations as baseless and part of a campaign of intimidation. "This ⁠behaviour ​is ⁠wholly unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of ⁠our diplomatic staff," the spokesperson said.

The Russian ambassador to ​London was summoned to the foreign office and informed ⁠that the government was revoking the accreditation of a Russian ⁠diplomat. ​The diplomat was not named. "Any further action by Russia will be treated as ⁠an escalation and met with a firm and proportionate response," ⁠the spokesperson ⁠added.

The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.