MI5 says expulsion of 400 Russian spies has caused 'significant blow' to Russian intelligence

The expulsion of more than 400 suspected Russian spies from across Europe this year has struck the "most significant strategic blow" against Moscow in recent history and taken Vladimir Putin by surprise, Britain's domestic spy chief said on Wednesday (November 16) .

In his annual update on the threat to Britain, Security Service (MI5) Director General Ken McCallum also repeated warnings about Chinese attempts to influence lawmakers and those in public life, and Beijing's attempts to monitor and harass the Chinese diaspora.

McCallum said a massive number of Russian officials had been expelled from across the world including over 600 from Europe of which more than 400 were judged to be spies.

"This has struck the most significant strategic blow against the Russian Intelligence Services in recent European history," he said in a speech at MI5's London headquarters.

On China, the spy chief said the Chinese authorities were using all the means at their disposal to monitor and intimidate the Chinese diaspora.

He referenced an incident last month in Manchester, northern England, when a man who was protesting outside a Chinese consulate said he was dragged inside the grounds by masked men, and then kicked and punched.

Iran's intelligence services have made at least ten attempts to kidnap or even kill British nationals or individuals based in the United Kingdom regarded by Tehran as a threat, McCallum told the press.

"The current wave of protests in Iran is asking fundamental questions of the totalitarian regime," McCallum added. "This could signal profound change, but the trajectory is uncertain."