uk espionage

Okay, I couldn't let this one slip by any longer.

Russia have accused senior UK diplomats based in Moscow of spying on the state, and claims it has footage to prove it.

Alledgedly, a fake rock was recovered with a hiden transmitter built into it that allowed covert passers-by to download top secret information from secure sites.
They also claim that they have the footage to prove that UK spys were aided by a Russian citizen recruited by MI6.

Let's be honest - as "shocking" as these allegations may appear, there are likely very few influential countries left in the world today that don't use espionage to "keep others in check".
And given that Vladimir Putin (ex KGB agent himself, no less!) is a hardliner from the cold war era with a penchant for surpressing civil society and freedom of press, I really have no problem with it.

The real kicker is this; that the UK government has for years been funneling money to Russian NGOs and groups commited to Human Rights and political change. Sweet!
Putin apparently tried to tighten controls on how $ is donated to Russian NGOs last year, in an apparent attempt to enforce his "brand" of government.

I for one reckon that's one of the most positive pieces of news that has come out of the UK for quite a while.