LONDON, November 4. /TASS/. UK’s Foreign Office has commented on Thursday’s protest rally outside Russia’s embassy in London, referring to the public’s concern and rejecting allegations of the British authorities’ involvement in it, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office told TASS on Friday.
The official said that "the UK public remain severely concerned" by the actions of Russia and of Syria’s government. ·
"We understand from the police that a small, peaceful protest took place outside the Russian Embassy yesterday afternoon. Diplomatic Police were in place throughout, remaining in close contact with Russian Embassy staff. No arrests were made," he said.
"Any suggestions of government involvement in the protests are wholly without foundation," he added.
On Thursday, a few protesters wearing black T-shirts with Save Aleppo inscriptions blocked the entrance to the Russian Embassy in London, throwing mannequin hands outside it. "The security of the Russian diplomatic mission in the UK was compromised," the embassy said in a statement posted on its official website, noting the embassy’s telephone line was blocked as well.
Earlier on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry's official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with the Russian Ren-TV channel that the protest action could have been organized by London officials.
"We saw the uniform and equipment. It costs money," Zakharova said. "We all realize well, and everybody can see it that these activities of civil society and public organizations are directly controlled by officials and government."
Protesters acted in full compliance with the plan drawn up at the UK’s Foreign Office after Boris Johnson had been appointed Foreign Secretary.
"There has been nothing like this before. Today we can see how such actions are being prepared. First, a signal comes from the Foreign Office, then from other agencies, next a week or two are needed to make preparations — presumably to allocate money — and in the end, a protest action is held by people who have no idea about whose interests they are defending and what slogans they are taking to the streets," she concluded.