Government 'deplores' Russia's expulsion of UK reporter

Foreign Office Minister David Lidington says the government "deplores" Russia's expulsion of a British journalist working for the Guardian newspaper.

Luke Harding, who reported on Wikileaks cables containing criticism of Russia's leadership, was refused permission to re-enter the country at the weekend.

He had reported on US cables describing Russia as a "virtual mafia state".

Moscow's foreign ministry has said he had broken media rules but could be re-admitted to the country.

  • UK