Pressure on premier to build bridges

The British government’s refusal to co-operate and share intelligence since the 2006 scandal is harming counter-terrorism efforts, according to Moscow’s ambassador in London.

Alexander Yakovenko also warned that friction over Libya had poisoned prospects of the UN Security Council acting over repression in Syria.

Mr Cameron will be the first Prime Minister since Tony Blair six years ago to visit the Russian capital.

Although he is going at the invitation of President Dmitri Medvedev, he will also hold bridge-building talks with Vlad-imir Putin – who could return to the top job next year.

There have been no high-level contacts with Mr Putin for four years after relations between the two countries nosedived.

Briefing journalists yesterday morning, Mr Yakovenko said the situation had gradually improved since the coalition came to power, and he hoped the visit would continue the process.

“We are waiting for a decision from the British side on re-establishing full co-operation with all the Russian law-enforcement bodies and special services,” he said. “At this stage Russia and the UK are not co-operating in this area.”