England attacks Putin as protests grow? "Russian spy targeted MPs and Whitehall officials"

In politics, nothing happens by accident.

If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

"A Russian spy was expelled from Britain
after he was caught attempting to recruit politicians
and senior Whitehall officials as agents.

...Russia is targeting Britain as source of intelligence
at a level not seen since the height of the Cold War.

MI5 believe ...between 30 and 50 spies
[are] working under diplomatic cover from its London embassy.

The SVR and the other Russian intelligence services
are the key to how Russian leader Vladimir Putin,
a former KGB spy, maintains his grip on power.

For two years Repin was engaged in talent-spotting British citizens
who might provide the Russians with useful intelligence
or were connected with someone with access
to sensitive information.

...A brief statement from William Hague, the foreign secretary,
last December
said the Russian embassy in London had been asked
to "withdraw a member of their staff from the UK".

Last December?

Why come out with the story on the same day

as more than 100,000 protesters rally across Russia?

...It is believed he was discovered approaching an individual
rather than stealing information or entering any sensitive buildings.

A spokesman for RUSI said:
"Unlike other organisations who publish lists of their membership,
we do not reveal member details
for reasons of security and individual privacy."

Telegraph