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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Former spy tests reveal 'objects' | Former spy tests reveal 'objects' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| X-rays on ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who is ill in hospital in London, have shown up unusual objects that he apparently swallowed. | |
| A source at University College Hospital told the BBC there were three objects of dense matter in his intestines. | |
| The hospital said his condition deteriorated overnight and he is now "very serious" in intensive care. | The hospital said his condition deteriorated overnight and he is now "very serious" in intensive care. |
| Anti-terror police have previously said that Mr Litvinenko, 43, was "deliberately" poisoned. | |
| Tests pending | Tests pending |
| It is not clear whether the objects are the cause of his illness, and the hospital has refused to comment on this aspect. | It is not clear whether the objects are the cause of his illness, and the hospital has refused to comment on this aspect. |
| The X-ray ordered on Tuesday afternoon revealed a round object - possibly a package - about the size of a two pence piece in his left abdomen, and similar sized objects in his colon and small bowel. | The X-ray ordered on Tuesday afternoon revealed a round object - possibly a package - about the size of a two pence piece in his left abdomen, and similar sized objects in his colon and small bowel. |
| One of the objects may have ruptured. | One of the objects may have ruptured. |
| Their position implies that they were ingested but it is not clear what the objects are, how or when they entered his body, or whether they are connected to his illness. | Their position implies that they were ingested but it is not clear what the objects are, how or when they entered his body, or whether they are connected to his illness. |
| In a statement the hospital said its investigations were continuing and it was not willing to make further comment until it had more information. | |
| The Metropolitan Police said it had no knowledge of the items and the results of toxicology tests were still pending. | The Metropolitan Police said it had no knowledge of the items and the results of toxicology tests were still pending. |
| Putin criticism | Putin criticism |
| Mr Litvinenko fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution in Russia, and was granted asylum. He is understood to have taken British citizenship this year. | Mr Litvinenko fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution in Russia, and was granted asylum. He is understood to have taken British citizenship this year. |
| Initial reports said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, although medical opinion has not been conclusive and the theory that some form of radioactive material was used has also been put forward. | Initial reports said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, although medical opinion has not been conclusive and the theory that some form of radioactive material was used has also been put forward. |
| Friends of Mr Litvinenko claim he was poisoned in London earlier this month because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. | Friends of Mr Litvinenko claim he was poisoned in London earlier this month because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have denied any part in poisoning Mr Litvinenko, who is a former security agent with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). | Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have denied any part in poisoning Mr Litvinenko, who is a former security agent with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). |