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Radiation hunt after spy death Radiation tests after spy death
(10 minutes later)
Police probing the death of the Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko have called in experts to search for radioactive material, the Home Office has said. Police and health experts probing the death of the Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko are searching various locations for radioactive material.
Mr Litvinenko's death, in a London hospital on Thursday, is believed to be linked to the presence of a radioactive substance in his body, it said. Mr Litvinenko's death, in a London hospital on Thursday, has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium 210 in his body.
The Metropolitan Police are said to be looking for any residual material at a number of locations. Tests have taken place at two hospitals he had been at but the risk to anyone else is said to be "insignificant".
The Kremlin has denied Mr Litvinenko's claims that it was involved.The Kremlin has denied Mr Litvinenko's claims that it was involved.
It is understood that the post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not been held yet. Professor Pat Troop from the Health Protection Agency told a news conference Mr Litvinenko would have had to either eaten, inhaled or been given the dose of polonium 210 though a wound.
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 href="/1/hi/uk/6180262.stm" class="">Litvinenko statement in full href="/1/hi/uk/6179212.stm" class="">Reaction: Russian's death href="/1/hi/uk/6179074.stm" class="">Timeline of case in full A post mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not been held yet.
POLONIUM 210 radioactive substance that occurs naturallypresent in foods in low dosescreated naturally in the bodycan be manufactured using the bombardment of neutronshas industrial uses such as in anti-static devices
The delay is believed to concerns over the health implications for those present at the examination.The delay is believed to concerns over the health implications for those present at the examination.
Medical experts had previously expressed differing opinions over substances that could have possibly led to his death.Medical experts had previously expressed differing opinions over substances that could have possibly led to his death.
Initial reports that he was given the heavy metal thallium gave way to other theories including radiation poisoning.Initial reports that he was given the heavy metal thallium gave way to other theories including radiation poisoning.
Meanwhile, the government's civil contingencies committee Cobra has met twice to discuss the case.Meanwhile, the government's civil contingencies committee Cobra has met twice to discuss the case.
The Home Office said anybody concerned should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, who have been briefed about this issue.The Home Office said anybody concerned should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, who have been briefed about this issue.
'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.
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 full
Police searches are taking place at Mr Litvinenko's house in north London and other places he has been.Police searches are taking place at Mr Litvinenko's house in north London and other places he has been.
In a statement dictated before he died, the 43-year-old accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death.In a statement dictated before he died, 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.
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 the was a tragedy, but saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death".Mr Putin himself has said the was a tragedy, but saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death".
Meetings probedMeetings probed
Before Mr Litvinenko's death, police said they suspected "deliberate poisoning" was behind his illness.Before Mr Litvinenko's death, police said they suspected "deliberate poisoning" was behind his illness.
Investigators have been examining two meetings he had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a later rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella, at a sushi restaurant in London's West End.Investigators have been examining two meetings he had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a later rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella, at a sushi restaurant in London's 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 in Grosvenor Square 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 in Grosvenor Square 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.