Sussex victory after 'Little Kremlin' stripped of diplomatic status
Villagers are claiming victory in their campaign against Russia after an embassy building in the heart of the English countryside was stripped of its diplomatic status.
Seacox Heath in East Sussex – once dubbed the Little Kremlin – was stripped of its special status by the the British government.
Home secretary James Cleverly yesterday announced the move saying they believed Seacox Heath and other premises in the UK had been ‘used for intelligence purposes’.
The move has led to jubilation in the villages surrounding the 50-room mansion in East Sussex.
They have long suspected the huge building was used by Russian spies and secret service agents.
An aerial view of Seacox Heath in East Sussex on May 08, 2024 near Ticehurst, England
As well as stripping the embassy building of its diplomatic status the Government says it will expel Russian defence attache, named as Colonel Maxim Elovik (pictured), over allegations of spying
Home secretary James Cleverly yesterday announced the move saying they believed Seacox Heath and other premises in the UK had been ‘used for intelligence purposes’
After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 some plucky villagers launched a protest outside the building.
The Ukraine colours were spray-painted at the entrance and tiny Ukraine flags were planted around the entrance perimeter.
Last year residents were left angry and upset after large surveillance drones from Seacox Heath began flying over the villages of Hawkhurst and Flimwell.
They believed the drones were being flown in retaliation against locals who had staged anti-war and anti-Putin protests outside the gates.
As well as stripping the embassy building of its diplomatic status the Government says it will expel Russian defence attache, named as Colonel Maxim Elovik, over allegations of spying.
Campaigner and writer, Rebecca de Saintonge, who planted dozens of Ukrainian flags outside the property today said she was delighted by the development.
‘At last we’ve finally got our little patch of land back and it no longer has diplomatic status. I’m really pleased this step has been taken; it’s symbolic.
‘However I do think it’s too little too late. I wish this Government could do more to help the situation in Ukraine as it all seems so inevitable.’
She said: ‘I felt compelled to protest outside it and attract attention to its existence. After my protest I had a visit from two policemen.
‘I think they were worried for the safety of the elderly Russian couple who looks after the house. We took our flags away to help defuse the situation.
‘Obviously the protest was an emotional response to the invasion but it wasn’t right to put the elderly couple in any danger.’
She added: ‘It feels cleaner not having a piece of enemy territory in the neighbourhood.
‘It was always disturbing not knowing who the people were who visited and what they might be using the place for.
‘As recent hostilities with Russian intensified, so did the sense of outrage at their presence intensify for many of us. We were never convinced it was just a ‘holiday retreat’ for the ambassador.’
Philippa Reid, 45, a resident who also protested outside the embassy building in Hawkhurst, said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted. Given what it is doing in Ukraine and its general international conduct, Russia has no business having a diplomatic building in the heart of Sussex.
‘All this stuff about them flying drones over the Flimwell and Hawkhurst was hugely infuriating at the time as the police seemed powerless to stop it.
‘It’s really pleasing Seacox Heath no longer has diplomatic status and I think, in a small part, our protest helped bring that about.’
The mansion was built in 1871 and owned by First Viscount Goschen who enjoyed a long political career.
His son George – the 2nd Viscount – gave the family home to the Soviet Union in 1946, allegedly as a gift after Russian sailors saved his son during the Second World War.
It was initially used as a home for families of trade delegation staff but in the 1990s, the mansion became the country retreat of the Russian ambassador.
Lindsay Barrow, who runs a florist in the village, said: ‘I have known about it for some time and if you look closely you can see multiple CCTV cameras and barbed wire surrounding the place.
‘I’ve also seen long, black Mercedes cars going in and out of the front gates and then we had the protests.
‘I do think it’s rather strange the Russian government has a building here in the heart of Kent.’
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