The former KGB in St. Petersburg has asked the city to deny the British consulate there permission to locate opposite city hall in case they spy on it, according to a local report.


According to the St. Petersburg daily, Smena, the deputy head of the regional Security Ministry asked the city's inner council to revoke a decision by Mayor Anatoly Sobchak, giving the British a building across from the Smolny complex.


Andrey Korotkov told St. Petersburg's inner council that the British move would endanger state security because:


The windows of the mayor and his deputy can be seen from the future consulate, enabling British spies to listen to what is said inside;


British spies could also listen in to secret government communication channels between Smolny and Moscow;


Spies could also pick up secret military information for the northwest military district, which also issues from the Smolny complex.


The Smolny complex houses St. Petersburg's City Hall as well as many of the government buildings for Russia's North West.


After considerable discussion, according to Smena, the inner council has decided to allow the consulate to move in as agreed, adding that it was up to the Security Ministry to minimize any dangers presented by "new neighbours".