This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6184804.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tories want spy death statement Advice sought over ex-spy's death
(about 7 hours later)
The Conservatives are to call for a Commons statement on the death of the Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko. Hundreds of people have called the NHS Direct hotline following the death of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The shadow home secretary, David Davis, intends to raise the matter when MPs return to Westminster on Monday. The Health Protection Agency has urged anyone who visited the same London hotel and sushi bar where he met contacts on 1 November to get in touch.
Mr Davis is expected to question ministers about the safety of Russian dissidents in the UK and to ask how polonium-210 was brought to the UK.
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.
Mr Davis said he was sure there would be an intensive police investigation into the death of Mr Litvinenko. Radioactive traces have been found at the Itsu restaurant in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel's Pine Bar.
He also said it was important that there was full co-operation from anyone who may be able to help the police - including the Russian authorities. HPA ADVICE Anyone at Itsu or the Pine Bar on 1 November should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647They will be asked a series of questions and may then be asked to take a urine test
He said: "It is essential that other dissidents living in Britain are reassured about their safety and there are also questions about how polonium-210 came to be used in Britain." But the HPA says the risk of contamination to other people is low.
Tests are to be carried out on people who may have come into contact with Mr Litvinenko. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health (DoH) said up to 300 people had called NHS Direct after the HPA asked people to make contact.
Radioactive traces were found at a London hotel and sushi bar he visited on 1 November. In other developments:
UK civil contingencies committee, Cobra, has met to discuss the case, and the Metropolitan Police say it is one of the most difficult inquiries they have handled.
    class="bulletList">
  • Police forensic searches at Itsu are now complete and the premises are being decontaminated
  • Officers have also been searching a bedroom at the Millennium Hotel
  • A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has been delayed over health implications for those present at the examination
They say the case is so difficult partly because of the more than two-week gap between the day former KGB agent Litvinenko is thought to have been poisoned and police beginning their investigation on 16 November.
They have been examining two meetings Mr Litvinenko had on 1 November - one at the Millennium Hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a rendezvous at the Itsu sushi restaurant in London's Piccadilly.
Mr Litvinenko fell ill later that day.
Anyone who was in the Itsu restaurant, or who was in the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel on 1 November has been urged to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Police have been searching the sushi bar and a bedroom at the Millennium Hotel, but investigations at Itsu are now complete and the premises are being decontaminated.
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 care24 Nov - His death is linked to radioactive polonium-210 25 Nov - Tests are to be carried out on people who came into contact with Mr Litvinenko Litvinenko statement in full Reaction: Russian's death Timeline of case in full
A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not yet been held. The delay is believed to be over concerns about the health implications for those present at the examination.
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. He was known to be a fierce critic of Mr Putin.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. He was known to be a fierce critic of Mr Putin.
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 care24 Nov - His death is linked to radioactive polonium-210 25 Nov - Tests are to be carried out on people who came into contact with Mr Litvinenko 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".
Russian newspapers - many of which are controlled by the Kremlin - have also reacted angrily to implications that Moscow was involved in Mr Litvinenko's death.Russian newspapers - many of which are controlled by the Kremlin - have also reacted angrily to implications that Moscow was involved in Mr Litvinenko's death.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are to call for a Commons statement on Mr Litvinenko's death.
Shadow home secretary, David Davis, intends to raise the matter when MPs return to Westminster on Monday.
Mr Davis is expected to question ministers about the safety of Russian dissidents in the UK and to ask how polonium-210 was brought to the UK.
He also said it was important that there was full co-operation from anyone who may be able to help the police - including the Russian authorities.
"It is essential that other dissidents living in Britain are reassured about their safety and there are also questions about how polonium-210 came to be used in Britain," he said.
UK civil contingencies committee, Cobra, has met to discuss the case.