Russia's president suggests Richard Moore, who took the top job last October, lacks experience.
Vladimir Putin warned the head of MI6: 'Don't try to spoil the Russian-British relations further.' Pic: APVladimir Putin has shrugged off criticism from the head of MI6, saying the UK spy boss will"probably revisit his assessments" of Russia.
The president said that Richard Moore is"new" to the role, following Mr Moore's description of Russia as an"objectively declining power economically and demographically".During a recent interview with Times Radio, he voiced frustration with Russia's behaviour, including the novichok attack in Salisbury, allegations that Russia's military intelligence agency was behind a blast at a Czech arms factory in 2014, and the country's actions in Ukraine.
Mr Moore said:"When you get that pattern of reckless behaviour, of course you then look at what is happening around Ukraine and of course it worries us."It is why we have coordinated so closely with our allies to make sure we are getting firm messages back to President Putin.