Britain condemns ‘reprehensible’ Russian conduct

LONDON accused Moscow of “reprehensible” conduct yesterday after the British Council suspended the operation of Russian offices following a secret police crackdown on the cultural body.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Moscow was deploying Cold War-style tactics and branded its actions a “stain on Russia’s reputation and standing” as he voiced London’s “anger and dismay”.

The British Council — which promotes cultural and educational links — earlier said the Russian authorities had made it impossible for it to operate in two of its three offices in the country.

The diplomatic spat between the two powers, triggered by the December 2006 radiation poisoning murder in London of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, shows no sign of easing.

“The Russian authorities have made it impossible for us to operate in Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg,” said chief executive Martin Davidson.

“Our paramount consideration is the well-being of our staff and I feel we cannot continue our work without significant risk to them.”

Russia ordered the British Council to close the two offices from January 1, alleging tax irregularities following the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats last July.

This was started by London after Moscow refused to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, the man British prosecutors want to charge with Litvinenko’s murder.

Mr Miliband described Russian pressure as “reprehensible, not worthy of a great country” and refused to retaliate against Russian cultural bodies in Britain, saying there was “nothing to fear” from such links.

“Russia has failed to show any legal reasons under Russian or international law why the British Council should not continue to operate,” he told parliament.

Mr Miliband said Moscow had “failed to substantiate” claims that the British Council is avoiding paying tax, insisting they were fully compliant.

“We saw similar actions during the Cold War, but frankly thought that they had been put behind us.

“The longer-term cost is their country’s standing in the world as a responsible international player,” he added.

London received the backing of the European Union, the United States and Canada.

In a strongly worded statement, the Slovenian EU presidency said “the EU deeply regrets in particular the harassment of British Council staff, as well as the administrative and other measures announced by the Russian authorities”.

Moscow has dubbed the council’s efforts to keep the branches open a “provocation”.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Britain’s refusal to close the two cultural centres reflected “nostalgia for colonial times”.