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21/11/2006
Anti-terror police investigate poisoning case
Counter terrorism officers from Scotland Yard are now investigating the poisoning of a former KGB colonel who is now living in Britain.
It is suspected that Alexander Litvinenko, 41, an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was deliberately poisoned with the toxic chemical thallium.
On Tuesday, a toxicologist who is treating Mr Litvinenko suggested that he may have been poisoned with a radioactive substance.
Professor John Henry said that Mr Litvinenko was showing signs that he had consumed thallium, but said that he was also showing symptoms linked to other substances.
Mr Litvinenko said that he was investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and he claimed that he met with a contact at a sushi bar in Piccadilly on November 1, who provided him with documents containing names of people who may have been involved in her murder.
Mr Litvinenko fell ill after this meeting, becoming seriously ill two weeks later. He is currently being treated in intensive care at University College Hospital in London, where he is reportedly under armed guard.
According to reports, he has been given a 50/50 chance of surviving the next four weeks.
On Monday, Scotland Yard confirmed that they were making "extensive inquiries" during their investigation into the poisoning, including interviews, toxicology tests and studying CCTV footage.
A spokesman for the Kremlin dismissed allegations that it was involved in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko.
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service - a successor to the KGB - has also issued a statement denying any involvement.
Thallium is an odorless and tasteless chemical and was used in the past as both a rat poison and ant killer. However, it is no longer used in a number of countries because of safety concerns.
It has several industrial uses, including the manufacture of optical glass, low-temperature thermometers and green fireworks.
Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Hair loss is one of the most distinctive effects of thallium poisoning.
(KMcA)
It is suspected that Alexander Litvinenko, 41, an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was deliberately poisoned with the toxic chemical thallium.
On Tuesday, a toxicologist who is treating Mr Litvinenko suggested that he may have been poisoned with a radioactive substance.
Professor John Henry said that Mr Litvinenko was showing signs that he had consumed thallium, but said that he was also showing symptoms linked to other substances.
Mr Litvinenko said that he was investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and he claimed that he met with a contact at a sushi bar in Piccadilly on November 1, who provided him with documents containing names of people who may have been involved in her murder.
Mr Litvinenko fell ill after this meeting, becoming seriously ill two weeks later. He is currently being treated in intensive care at University College Hospital in London, where he is reportedly under armed guard.
According to reports, he has been given a 50/50 chance of surviving the next four weeks.
On Monday, Scotland Yard confirmed that they were making "extensive inquiries" during their investigation into the poisoning, including interviews, toxicology tests and studying CCTV footage.
A spokesman for the Kremlin dismissed allegations that it was involved in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko.
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service - a successor to the KGB - has also issued a statement denying any involvement.
Thallium is an odorless and tasteless chemical and was used in the past as both a rat poison and ant killer. However, it is no longer used in a number of countries because of safety concerns.
It has several industrial uses, including the manufacture of optical glass, low-temperature thermometers and green fireworks.
Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Hair loss is one of the most distinctive effects of thallium poisoning.
(KMcA)
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20 November 2006
Poisoned former KGB man remains in serious condition
A former KGB colonel remains in a serious condition in a London hospital after being poisoned with toxic chemical thallium. Alexander Litvinenko, 44, an outspoken critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is believed to have fallen ill after attending a meeting with a contact in a sushi bar in Piccadilly on November 1.
Poisoned former KGB man remains in serious condition
A former KGB colonel remains in a serious condition in a London hospital after being poisoned with toxic chemical thallium. Alexander Litvinenko, 44, an outspoken critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is believed to have fallen ill after attending a meeting with a contact in a sushi bar in Piccadilly on November 1.
03 April 2007
Campaign launched in memory of Alexander Litvinenko
A campaign has been launched by the widow and friends of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in his name. The Litvinenko Justice Foundation aims to put pressure on both the British and Russian governments to find those responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.
Campaign launched in memory of Alexander Litvinenko
A campaign has been launched by the widow and friends of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in his name. The Litvinenko Justice Foundation aims to put pressure on both the British and Russian governments to find those responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.
28 May 2015
Food Poisoning Bug Found In 73% Of Chickens - FSA
73% of freshly bought chicken contains the food poisoning bug campylobacter, according to a Food Standards Agency (FSA) report. The FSA report released today, 28 May, tested over 4000 samples of fresh whole chilled chickens and packaging from retailer and independent stores.
Food Poisoning Bug Found In 73% Of Chickens - FSA
73% of freshly bought chicken contains the food poisoning bug campylobacter, according to a Food Standards Agency (FSA) report. The FSA report released today, 28 May, tested over 4000 samples of fresh whole chilled chickens and packaging from retailer and independent stores.
09 April 2015
RSPCA Warn Dog Owners Over Suspected Poisoning Attempts
The RSPCA has warned dog owners to be cautious following a spate of suspected poisoning attempts. A dog walker discovered cocktail sausages stuffed with toxic slug pellets at the Cuckoo Trail in Hailsham, in East Sussex. The charity warned that pets ingesting a small amount of toxic substances could suffer kidney failure and die.
RSPCA Warn Dog Owners Over Suspected Poisoning Attempts
The RSPCA has warned dog owners to be cautious following a spate of suspected poisoning attempts. A dog walker discovered cocktail sausages stuffed with toxic slug pellets at the Cuckoo Trail in Hailsham, in East Sussex. The charity warned that pets ingesting a small amount of toxic substances could suffer kidney failure and die.
31 August 2012
Heroin And Morphine Drug Deaths Fall
Heroin and morphine are still the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, according to The Office for National Statistics. In 2011 there was a 25 per cent drop in fatalities, with 596 deaths.
Heroin And Morphine Drug Deaths Fall
Heroin and morphine are still the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, according to The Office for National Statistics. In 2011 there was a 25 per cent drop in fatalities, with 596 deaths.
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