By Ben Kerrigan-
Russian authorities have demanded an explanation for a search of a Russian plane in Heathrow that excluded a cabin crew member from witnessing the search.
Moscow has said that action would be taken against the UK unless an answer was given to explain why a Russian aeroflot passenger search was subjected to a search on
On Saturday, the Ministry of Transport insisted on an explanation for the search. “If there is no explanation, the Russian side will deem the actions towards our plane as illegal and also reserve the right to take similar action against British airlines,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement. The search is believed to have its roots in the ongoing tension between the UK and Russia over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Shripal in Salisbury, London. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats in reaction to the poisoning, and the U.S and several other countries also followed suit.
Russia, in turn, retaliated against Britain for the UK’s expulsion of Russian “intelligence agents” by ejecting 23 British diplomats over the attack on the Skripals.
On Friday, the UK’s ambassador to Moscow was told London had one month to cut its diplomatic contingent in Russia to the same size as the Russian mission in Britain.
On Saturday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that meant Britain would have to cut “a little over 50” additional diplomats in Russia.
“We asked for parity. The Brits have 50 diplomats more than the Russians,” she said.
Meanwhile, the British government is considering allowing visits to Yulia Skripal, who is recovering in hospital after being poisoned along with her father, a Russian ex-spy, in a nerve agent attack blamed by Britain on Russia.
“We are considering requests for consular access in line with our obligations under the international and domestic law, including the rights and wishes of Yulia Skripal,” a spokeswoman for Britain’s foreign ministry in London said.
The Russian Embassy in London said in a tweet on Friday that “we insist on the right to see” Skripal, a Russian citizen.
Russia has already retaliated against Britain for the UK’s expulsion of Russian “intelligence agents” by ejecting 23 British diplomats over the attack on the Skripals.
