Diplomats moves 'targeted measure'

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Europe Minister Jim Murphy said that the expulsion of four Russian diplomats, announced on Monday, had been a "targeted, specific measure" intended to secure the extradition of ex-agent Andrei Lugovoy.

"It was a decision taken with deep, deep regret," he told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We have no ambitions towards a macho response. We have taken a considered, measured response which we think is appropriate in these circumstances. Our intention is to contain process. We have no ambition to go wider."

The Russian government has said that it will deliver an "appropriate and targeted" response to the expulsions.

Mr Murphy said the Government still wanted to work with the Russians on a range of international issues, from Iran's nuclear programme to counter-terrorism.

"It is certainly our intention through this process to emphasise that we still see Russia as a strong ally on important issues," he said.

"Specifically on counter-terrorism, we work strategically and operationally with the Russians and we will continue to do so when it is clearly in the UK's national interest."

He said that the Government also wanted to avoid damaging the UK's lucrative commercial links with Russia, which earned Britain £3 billion in exports in 2005.

Mr Murphy flatly rejected any suggestion that Mr Lugovoy could stand trial in a third country. "We are ruling it out. It doesn't suit our purposes. It doesn't suit the purposes and concerns of the Russians," he said.