Russian spy expelled from Britain under crackdown as Vladimir Putin told to stop 'malign activity'

The UK will expel the Russian defence attache for spying for the Kremlin and shut down several diplomatic buildings, the Home Secretary has said.

James Cleverly said the "undeclared military intelligence officer" would be kicked out of Britain as part of a crackdown on Russian espionage networks. He told MPs: "Today in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary, I am announcing a package of measures to make clear to Russia that we will not tolerate such apparent escalations.

"I can tell the House that we will expel the Russian defence attache, who is an undeclared military intelligence officer. We will remove diplomatic premises status from several Russian-owned properties in the UK, including Seacox Heath house, a Russian-owned property in Sussex, and the trade and defence section in Highgate, which we believe have been used for intelligence purposes.

"We are imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including capping the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the UK."

Mr Cleverly said Russia would respond with "conspiracy theories and hysteria", and accusations of Russophobia but the UK would not be swayed. He said: "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. Russia's explanation was totally inadequate. Our response will be resolute and firm.

"Our message to Russia is clear: stop this illegal war, withdraw your troops from Ukraine, cease this malign activity."

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour "wholeheartedly" supports the Government's new package of measures against Russia. She said: "Repeatedly, we have seen a brazen disregard by Russia for the rule of law, for the UK, for our allies, for our domestic security.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government in our support for Ukraine. Any change in Government will not change that strong cross-party support. As we stand with our allies, Putin must be defeated in Ukraine and Britain must stand full square behind our Ukrainian friends.

"Russia under Putin is a long-term generational threat to the security of Europe, which requires a long-term response and, as the shadow defence secretary said just yesterday, the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine."