Britain’s deputy head of mission in Russia, Tom Dodd, was involved in a violent confrontation with reporters at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport.
Dodd, along with other UK Foreign Office personnel, including Christopher Allan, head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate, was greeted by a group of reporters questioning him about a recent spy scandal that led to the expulsion of six British diplomats.
Footage from the incident shows Dodd forcefully grabbing cameras, ripping a reporter’s ID, and shoving a woman as he tried to evade the media.
The British delegation avoided addressing the pressing questions and instead held a brief interaction outside the airport, speaking mainly about the weather.
The British delegation was reportedly in Moscow to inspect the country’s mission after the expulsion of its staff members, accused of involvement in espionage.
London has denied these allegations.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned Dodd’s behaviour, stating that it revealed the UK’s disregard for the press freedom it often advocates.
While Dodd’s diplomatic immunity might protect him from legal consequences, Russia’s laws on protecting journalists could apply if pursued, with penalties of up to six years in prison for obstructing their work.
