LONDON – The United Kingdom is expelling 23 Russian diplomats, the single biggest expulsion in 30 years, in the wake of the poisoning of former spy Sergey Skripal.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday that her country has canceled all high-level bilateral contacts with Russia, the BBC reported.
Theresa May said the diplomats, who have a week to leave, were identified as “undeclared intelligence officers”.
“Highly likely” Russia was responsible for poisoning Sergei & Yulia Skripal in Salisbury – UK PM Theresa May https://t.co/U4h0vZpow5 pic.twitter.com/QnT5r0V0SG
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 12, 2018
She also revoked an invitation to Russia’s foreign minister, and said the Royal Family would not attend the Fifa World Cup later this year.
Russia denies being involved in the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal.
Former spy Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, 33, remain critically ill in hospital after being found slumped on a bench on 4 March.
Det Sgt Nick Bailey also fell ill responding to the incident, and is in a serious but stable condition, but is thought to be improving.
