UK to ask EU leaders to expel Russian spies from own countries

Theresa May to make request at summit, with aim of closing down Kremlin networks in Europe

Britain will encourage European leaders to expel Russian intelligence agents from their own countries in a bid to dismantle the Kremlin's networks across Europe, warning that the west faces a long-term threat from Vladimir Putin.

Theresa May will ask European leaders to examine Britain's response to the use of a nerve agent against a Russian double agent and his daughter in Salisbury and step up their own measures when they meet in Brussels on Thursday.