Germany asks top US spy to leave country

Germany took the dramatic step yesterday of asking the top US intelligence official in Berlin to leave the country, following two suspected cases of American spying and the year-long spat over eavesdropping by the National Security Agency.

The move reflects growing impatience in Germany at what is perceived as US nonchalance about being caught spying on a close ally.

“The representative of the US intelligence services at the United States embassy has been asked to leave Germany,” government spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement.