 In east – west relations , Douglas @-@ Home continued his policy of keeping the Soviet Union at bay . In September 1971 , after receiving no satisfactory results from negotiations with Gromyko about the flagrant activities of the KGB in Britain , he expelled 105 Soviet diplomats for spying . In addition to the furore arising from this , the Soviets felt that the British government 's approach to negotiations on détente in Europe was over @-@ cautious , even sceptical . Gromyko was nonetheless realistic enough to maintain a working relationship with the British government . Within days of the expulsions from London he and Douglas @-@ Home met and discussed the Middle East and disarmament . In this sphere of foreign policy , Douglas @-@ Home was widely judged a success . 
