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27/11/2006
Inquest due to open into Litvinenko's death
An inquest into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko is due to open this week.
Mr Litvinenko died in hospital last Thursday, after falling ill earlier this month.
He was found to have a "major dose" of radioactive polonium 210 in his body.
Before his death, Mr Litvinenko had accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of his murder. The allegation was denied by the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, also denied any involvement.
Mr Litvinenko fell ill on November 1 after visiting the Pine Bar in the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair in London, as well as the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly.
Traces of polonium 210 have been found in both locations and anyone who was at either place on November 1 had been asked to contact NHS Direct.
More than 450 people have so far come forward and 18 cases have been followed up. Three people have been sent to a specialist clinic for radiological tests.
It also emerged on Monday that traces of polonium 210 had also been found at an address in Mayfair and an office in the West End.
Counter-terrorism officers from Scotland Yard are investigating Mr Litvinenko's death, which they have described as "suspicious".
Speaking to the Commons on Monday, Home Secretary John Reid said that police were keeping an open mind on the death. He also told MPs that Russia had been asked to co-operate with the investigation.
Earlier, the Home Secretary chaired a meeting with the Cobra emergency committee in order to assess the possible risk to the public. However, the Health Protection Agency has stressed that the risk to the public is low.
Friends of the former KGB agent have suggested that he was poisoned because he was a fierce critic of Mr Putin's government.
He was also investigating the death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of Putin's regime who was shot dead near her apartment in Moscow last month, at the time he fell ill.
A post-mortem is due to be held on Mr Litvinenko's body once a risk assessment has been carried out in order to ensure that it is safe for the examination to take place.
The inquest into his death is due to open on Thursday.
(KMcA/EF)
Mr Litvinenko died in hospital last Thursday, after falling ill earlier this month.
He was found to have a "major dose" of radioactive polonium 210 in his body.
Before his death, Mr Litvinenko had accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of his murder. The allegation was denied by the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, also denied any involvement.
Mr Litvinenko fell ill on November 1 after visiting the Pine Bar in the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair in London, as well as the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly.
Traces of polonium 210 have been found in both locations and anyone who was at either place on November 1 had been asked to contact NHS Direct.
More than 450 people have so far come forward and 18 cases have been followed up. Three people have been sent to a specialist clinic for radiological tests.
It also emerged on Monday that traces of polonium 210 had also been found at an address in Mayfair and an office in the West End.
Counter-terrorism officers from Scotland Yard are investigating Mr Litvinenko's death, which they have described as "suspicious".
Speaking to the Commons on Monday, Home Secretary John Reid said that police were keeping an open mind on the death. He also told MPs that Russia had been asked to co-operate with the investigation.
Earlier, the Home Secretary chaired a meeting with the Cobra emergency committee in order to assess the possible risk to the public. However, the Health Protection Agency has stressed that the risk to the public is low.
Friends of the former KGB agent have suggested that he was poisoned because he was a fierce critic of Mr Putin's government.
He was also investigating the death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of Putin's regime who was shot dead near her apartment in Moscow last month, at the time he fell ill.
A post-mortem is due to be held on Mr Litvinenko's body once a risk assessment has been carried out in order to ensure that it is safe for the examination to take place.
The inquest into his death is due to open on Thursday.
(KMcA/EF)
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31 January 2007
Litvinenko file handed to CPS
Scotland Yard has handed a file on the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko to the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in hospital in London in November last year, after falling ill earlier that month.
Litvinenko file handed to CPS
Scotland Yard has handed a file on the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko to the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in hospital in London in November last year, after falling ill earlier that month.
30 November 2006
Radiation found in 12 locations in Litvinenko investigation
Traces of a radioactive substance have been found in 12 locations as the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko continues. Speaking in the Commons, Home Secretary John Reid revealed that 24 locations are being monitored.
Radiation found in 12 locations in Litvinenko investigation
Traces of a radioactive substance have been found in 12 locations as the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko continues. Speaking in the Commons, Home Secretary John Reid revealed that 24 locations are being monitored.
24 November 2006
Radiation tests conducted following Russian's death
Police investigating the death of former KGB colonel Alexander Litvinenko are searching for various locations for radioactive material, after a large dose of radiation was found in his body. Following his death, a "major dose" of polonium-210 was discovered in his body, the Health Protection Agency revealed.
Radiation tests conducted following Russian's death
Police investigating the death of former KGB colonel Alexander Litvinenko are searching for various locations for radioactive material, after a large dose of radiation was found in his body. Following his death, a "major dose" of polonium-210 was discovered in his body, the Health Protection Agency revealed.
29 November 2006
More locations tested in Litvinenko investigation
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Litvinenko are examining two new locations in London's West End. The search for traces of polonium 210 - a radioactive substance found in the body of Mr Litvinenko - has now been extended to cover the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel and a second office building in Grosvenor Street.
More locations tested in Litvinenko investigation
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Litvinenko are examining two new locations in London's West End. The search for traces of polonium 210 - a radioactive substance found in the body of Mr Litvinenko - has now been extended to cover the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel and a second office building in Grosvenor Street.
28 November 2006
Locations tested in radiation search
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko have discovered traces of the poison that killed him in three other locations in London.
Locations tested in radiation search
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko have discovered traces of the poison that killed him in three other locations in London.
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