Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of spying, Russian state media reported. RIA said the diplomat worked at the British embassy in Moscow, adding that the Russian Foreign Ministry had summoned the British ambassador.

Russia said on Tuesday it was expelling a British diplomat for alleged spying, in the latest blow to the already dire state of relations between the two countries.

Russia has expelled a British diplomat after accusing him of espionage, according to reports. The TASS news agency cited Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying that the ministry had also summoned the British ambassador.