UK condemns Russia over arrest of British official

Relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated further today after it emerged that the director of the British Council in St Petersburg had been detained.

Several other Russian national employees have also been summoned for questioning by the authorities, according to the cultural organisation.

Downing Street insisted it was “completely unacceptable” for Russia to try and intimidate Council staff.

“It’s clear that the British Council operates legally in Russia to the benefit of many thousands of Russian citizens,” a spokesman added.

It is understood that the British official arrested in St Petersburg is Stephen Kinnock, son of former Labour leader Lord Neil Kinnock.