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Advice sought over ex-spy's death Advice sought after ex-spy death
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of people have called the NHS Direct hotline following the death of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.Hundreds of people have called the NHS Direct hotline following the death of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.
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.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 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.
Radioactive traces have been found at the Itsu restaurant in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel's Pine Bar.Radioactive traces have been found at the Itsu restaurant in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel's Pine Bar.
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 testHPA 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
But the HPA says the risk of contamination to other people is low.But the HPA says the risk of contamination to other people is low.
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.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.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • 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
  • 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
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".
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
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.
Andrei Nekrasov, who was close to Mr Litvinenko, said his friend had been a "strong man" who was left so debilitated by the rapid deterioration of his health that he was "reduced" to "screaming from pain".
Speaking on BBC 1's Sunday AM show, Mr Nekrasov also said that he did not believe Mr Putin was "directly" responsible, although he thought "rogue elements" connected to the Russian leader were.
He said: "I think that Putin's orders on this are unlikely.
"Those rogue people are, in my opinion, a direct responsibility of Mr Putin. They are the result of the ideology of falsely understood nationalism which is now being injected into the Russian people."
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are to call for a Commons statement on 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.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.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.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."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.UK civil contingencies committee, Cobra, has met to discuss the case.