British Council (Russia)

Part of Business of the House – in the House of Commons at 12:32 pm on 17 January 2008.

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Photo of Paul Farrelly Paul Farrelly Labour, Newcastle-under-Lyme 12:32, 17 January 2008

The Russian actions are ridiculous and the Foreign Secretary is right not to engage in a cultural tit for tat. President Putin may also be frustrated by the presence of certain Russian billionaires in London. Indeed, the Kremlin may have memories of the actions of US and UK banks and brokers who also profited greatly, in and out of the country, from the Yeltsin sell-off. But the British Council is entirely different: it is there to foster much needed long-term relationships. I agree with my right hon. Friend's closing statement that, far from making Russia look stronger, the attack on the British Council and its staff makes it look very weak in the eyes of the international community.