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Radiation found after spy's death Radiation found after spy's death
(30 minutes later)
Police probing the death of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko have found above-normal levels of radiation at three locations in London.Police probing the death of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko have found above-normal levels of radiation at three locations in London.
Mr Litvinenko's death has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body.Mr Litvinenko's death has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body.
Scotland Yard confirmed traces were also found at his home, a sushi bar and a hotel, but the risk to others was said by health experts to be very low.Scotland Yard confirmed traces were also found at his home, a sushi bar and a hotel, but the risk to others was said by health experts to be very low.
The Kremlin has denied UK citizen Mr Litvinenko's claims it was involved.The Kremlin has denied UK citizen Mr Litvinenko's claims it was involved.
The traces were found at the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, and at Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London, Scotland Yard said.The traces were found at the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, and at Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London, Scotland Yard said.
InformationInformation
Moscow has been asked to help British police in their investigations, the Foreign Office has said.Moscow has been asked to help British police in their investigations, the Foreign Office has said.
Officials discussed the issue with the Russian Ambassador, Yuri Fedotov, at a meeting this afternoon, said a spokeswoman.Officials discussed the issue with the Russian Ambassador, Yuri Fedotov, at a meeting this afternoon, said a spokeswoman.
Officers are looking at CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, trying to find out who he met around the time he fell ill on 1 November, said Peter Clarke, head of the Counter Terrorism Command which is leading the investigation.Officers are looking at CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, trying to find out who he met around the time he fell ill on 1 November, said Peter Clarke, head of the Counter Terrorism Command which is leading the investigation.
Tests are also being carried out at the two London hospitals where Mr Litvinenko had been treated, University College and the Barnet General, the Health Protection Agency said.Tests are also being carried out at the two London hospitals where Mr Litvinenko had been treated, University College and the Barnet General, the Health Protection Agency said.
Professor Pat Troop from the HPA told a news conference Mr Litvinenko would have had to either eaten, inhaled or been given the dose of polonium-210 though a wound. Professor Pat Troop from the HPA told a news conference Mr Litvinenko would have had to either eaten, inhaled or been given the dose of polonium-210 through a wound.
She said the type of death was an "unprecedented event in the UK".She said the type of death was an "unprecedented event in the UK".
RADIATION TYPES Alpha particles are stopped by a sheet of paper and cannot pass through unbroken skin Beta particles are stopped by an aluminium sheetGamma rays are stopped by thick leadRADIATION TYPES Alpha particles are stopped by a sheet of paper and cannot pass through unbroken skin Beta particles are stopped by an aluminium sheetGamma rays are stopped by thick lead
Dr Troop said the HPA investigation would also look at the number of people who had come into contact with Mr Litvinenko during his stay in hospital.Dr Troop said the HPA investigation would also look at the number of people who had come into contact with Mr Litvinenko during his stay in hospital.
"We are working with staff to draw up a list, we are working through that," she said."We are working with staff to draw up a list, we are working through that," she said.
"There will be a minimum of tens of people. He was in hospital for several weeks and a number of staff looked after him.""There will be a minimum of tens of people. He was in hospital for several weeks and a number of staff looked after him."
As the conference drew to a close, a heckler interrupted saying he was from Ukraine and had also been the victim of poisoning.As the conference drew to a close, a heckler interrupted saying he was from Ukraine and had also been the victim of poisoning.
A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not been held yet.A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not been held yet.
POLONIUM-210 a highly radioactive and toxic elementpresent in foods and tobacco in low dosessmall amounts occurs naturally in the bodycan be manufactured using the bombardment of neutronshas industrial uses such as in anti-static devicesvery dangerous if significant dose ingestedexternal exposure not a risk 'No radiation risk' to public What is polonium-210?POLONIUM-210 a highly radioactive and toxic elementpresent in foods and tobacco in low dosessmall amounts occurs naturally in the bodycan be manufactured using the bombardment of neutronshas industrial uses such as in anti-static devicesvery dangerous if significant dose ingestedexternal exposure not a risk 'No radiation risk' to public What is polonium-210?
The delay is believed to be over concerns about the health implications for those present at the examination.The delay is believed to be over concerns about the health implications for those present at the examination.
But Roger Cox from the HPA said a large quantity of alpha radiation emitted from polonium-210 had been detected in Mr Litvinenko's urine.But Roger Cox from the HPA said a large quantity of alpha radiation emitted from polonium-210 had been detected in Mr Litvinenko's urine.
The Home Office said anybody concerned should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, who have been briefed about the issues.The Home Office said anybody concerned should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, who have been briefed about the issues.
Meanwhile, the government's civil contingencies committee Cobra has met to discuss the case.Meanwhile, the government's civil contingencies committee Cobra has met to discuss the case.
'Sheer nonsense''Sheer nonsense'
Friends have said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticism of Russia.Friends have said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticism of Russia.
In a statement dictated before he died at University College Hospital on Thursday, the 43-year-old accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death.In a statement dictated before he died at University College Hospital on Thursday, the 43-year-old accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death.
Mr Litvinenko had recently been investigating the murder of his friend, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government.Mr Litvinenko had recently been investigating the murder of his friend, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government.
LITVINENKO TIMELINE 1 Nov - Alexander Litvinenko meets two Russian men at a London hotel and then meets Italian academic Mario Scaramella at a sushi bar in Piccadilly. Hours later he falls ill and is admitted to Barnet General Hospital17 Nov - Mr Litvinenko is transferred to UCH19 Nov - Reports say Mr Litvinenko is poisoned with thallium21 Nov - A toxicologist says he may have been poisoned with "radioactive thallium"22 Nov - Mr Litvinenko's condition deteriorates overnight. Thallium and radiation ruled out 23 Nov - The ex-spy dies in intensive care Litvinenko statement in full Reaction: Russian's death Timeline of case in fullLITVINENKO TIMELINE 1 Nov - Alexander Litvinenko meets two Russian men at a London hotel and then meets Italian academic Mario Scaramella at a sushi bar in Piccadilly. Hours later he falls ill and is admitted to Barnet General Hospital17 Nov - Mr Litvinenko is transferred to UCH19 Nov - Reports say Mr Litvinenko is poisoned with thallium21 Nov - A toxicologist says he may have been poisoned with "radioactive thallium"22 Nov - Mr Litvinenko's condition deteriorates overnight. Thallium and radiation ruled out 23 Nov - The ex-spy dies in intensive care Litvinenko statement in full Reaction: Russian's death Timeline of case in full
Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the Kremlin's earlier dismissal of allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense".Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the Kremlin's earlier dismissal of allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense".
Mr Putin himself has said Mr Litvinenko's death was a tragedy, but he saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death".Mr Putin himself has said Mr Litvinenko's death was a tragedy, but he saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death".
Police have been examining two meetings Mr Litvinenko had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella, at the sushi restaurant in the West End.Police have been examining two meetings Mr Litvinenko had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella, at the sushi restaurant in the West End.
Mr Litvinenko, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2000 after complaining of persecution in Russia, fell ill later that day.Mr Litvinenko, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2000 after complaining of persecution in Russia, fell ill later that day.
In an interview with Friday's Telegraph newspaper, former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi said he had met Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel but vigorously denied any involvement in the poisoning.In an interview with Friday's Telegraph newspaper, former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi said he had met Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel but vigorously denied any involvement in the poisoning.
Mr Scaramella, who is involved in an Italian parliamentary inquiry into Russian secret service activity, said they met because he wanted to discuss an e-mail he had received.Mr Scaramella, who is involved in an Italian parliamentary inquiry into Russian secret service activity, said they met because he wanted to discuss an e-mail he had received.