London - The British government Friday summoned the Iranian ambassador to London to protest at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei branding it as the "most evil" in a speech in Tehran.

The British government was "very upset" at the remarks, said a diplomatic source. Ambassador Rasoul Movahedian had been summoned for a meeting with a senior Foreign Office official later Friday.

The British government was understood to be preparing a "diplomatic statement" in response to the Iranian allegations. (dpa)