[Lauren]

UK expels four Russian diplomats



The UK is to expel four diplomats from the Russian embassy in London after Moscow refused to extradite the suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband also said co-operation with Russia on a range of issues was under review.

Prosecutors want Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer, to face trial in the UK. He denies involvement.

Former KGB agent Mr Litvinenko died of exposure to radioactive polonium-210 in London in November 2006.

The Foreign Office has not named the four Russian diplomats, but the BBC understands they are intelligence officers.

Mr Miliband told MPs Russia was an important ally and the situation was one that Britain had "not sought and does not welcome".

'Extremely disappointing'

But he said it was necessary to send a "clear and proportionate signal" to Russia, about the seriousness with which Britain regarded the matter.

"Visa facilitation negotiations" have also been suspended, he said.

Under the Council of Europe European Convention on Extradition 1957, the Russians have the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.

But Mr Miliband said the refusal had been "extremely disappointing" and both the UN and EU had reported concerns that Russia was applying the law selectively.

The Convention gives the UK the right to request that the investigation be taken on by the Russian authorities.

However, Sir Ken Macdonald, the UK's director of public prosecutions, rejected an offer from Moscow to try Mr Lugovoi in Russia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6901346.stm