LONDON, July 11 (UPI) -- Relations between Russia and Britain are strained over the extradition of the alleged killer of spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Since authorities in Russia announced this week that the key suspect in the former KGB officer's death would not be returned to Britain, diplomatic relations between the two countries have grown more tense, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
While no official stance has been taken regarding Russia's refusal to hand over Andrei Lugovoi, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown indicated Tuesday that a serious response will likely occur, the British newspaper said.
"We are considering all our options on this," the spokesman said. "This is a serious issue. We need to carefully consider our range of co-operation."
The Telegraph reported experts as saying British officials could use expulsions of Russian diplomats from Britain as a means to send a clear political response.
Litvinenko had been living in London since defecting from his native land when he was assassinated last November by plutonium poisoning.
Scotland Yard later named Lugovoi as its top suspect, but the Russian constitution forbids the extradition of its citizens to other countries.
