60 Russian Spies Operate in Britain — Lawmaker

Mos News
Dec. 01, 2006

As many as 60 Russian spies are operating in Britain, virtually unchallenged by a domestic intelligence service preoccupied by the threat from Islamic extremism, a lawmaker told a debate on relations between Moscow and London, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Chris Bryant, a legislator with Tony Blair’s governing Labour party who convened and led the session, said Russian authorities had shown a “casual disregard” for the deaths of journalists critical of the Kremlin.

Outside analysts said Bryant’s figure seemed high, though British intelligence officials have expressed concern about espionage.

Lawmakers held the debate at the House of Commons ancillary chamber Westminster Hall following the poisoning death Thursday of ex-Soviet security agent Alexander Litvinenko, whose body was contaminated with high doses of polonium-210 — a rare radioactive element usually manufactured in specialized nuclear facilities.

Litvinenko blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for his poisoning in a statement dictated before his death. Putin has dismissed the charge.

Bryant told lawmakers between 30 and 60 Russian intelligence agents were working in Britain, without providing evidence of his claim.

He said the operatives enjoyed relative free movement as the threat of extremist terrorism and not counterespionage was now the priority of MI5 — Britain’s domestic spy agency.