Expelled Russian diplomats move out of UK embassy over spy poisoning claims

London [United Kingdom], March 21 (ANI): 23 Russian diplomats moved out of the United Kingdom embassy on Tuesday, following expulsion over the Salisbury spy poisoning claims.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, on March 14, had ordered the Russian staff to pack their bags amid heightening tensions with Moscow, claiming London diplomats were 'undeclared intelligence officers', according to The Independent.

A plane carrying Russian diplomats and their families departed London's Stansted airport, after they were expelled from Moscow's Kensington embassy following the Salisbury poisoning.

Earlier last week, Russian Ambassador in London Alexander Yakovenko denied the allegations by United Kingdom, saying, "It is nothing but a fable, absolute nonsense".

He added that nearly half of the embassy's employees were to leave the country.

"These people are regular diplomats, 40 percent of the embassy's staff. The embassy has never been overmanned since the Britons have always been practising expulsions. So, the staff has constantly been decreasing," Yakovenko had said.

"Naturally, further expulsions will reduce the embassy's possibilities, first of all, as far as consular services are concerned. It will create certain problems but most of us understand where we are working and in the current situation each diplomat is ready for any unexpected developments," he added.

The British Prime Minister gave a week's time to the diplomats for leaving the country.

Britain will also cancel high-level contacts with Russia, May had said.

Retired military intelligence officer Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia, 33, were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury city centre on March 4. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI