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Five sites tested in spy inquiry Five sites tested in spy inquiry
(10 minutes later)
Tests have now been carried out at five London locations where traces of the poison that killed former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko were found.Tests have now been carried out at five London locations where traces of the poison that killed former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko were found.
Three people who have either been to the venues or had contact with him are to undergo radiological tests.Three people who have either been to the venues or had contact with him are to undergo radiological tests.
The latest sites found to have traces of polonium-210 radiation include the offices of exile Boris Berezovsky.The latest sites found to have traces of polonium-210 radiation include the offices of exile Boris Berezovsky.
The prime minister said no "diplomatic or political barrier" would stand in the way of the police investigation.The prime minister said no "diplomatic or political barrier" would stand in the way of the police investigation.
"It is obviously a very, very serious matter indeed. We are determined to find out what happened and who is responsible," Tony Blair said."It is obviously a very, very serious matter indeed. We are determined to find out what happened and who is responsible," Tony Blair said.
Scotland Yard has been piecing together Mr Litvinenko's movements on the day he fell ill. Scotland Yard has been piecing together Mr Litvinenko's movements on 1 November, the day he fell ill.
The Italian academic he met on that day has now returned to Britain to be tested for radiation contamination.The Italian academic he met on that day has now returned to Britain to be tested for radiation contamination.
Police will interview Professor Mario Scaramella as a potential witness, but it is understood that he is not in protective custody.Police will interview Professor Mario Scaramella as a potential witness, but it is understood that he is not in protective custody.
The Health Protection Agency said more than 450 people had called a government hotline for advice and 18 had been followed up.The Health Protection Agency said more than 450 people had called a government hotline for advice and 18 had been followed up.
Three have been referred to a specialist clinic as a precautionary measure because they had symptoms which may indicate radiation poisoning.Three have been referred to a specialist clinic as a precautionary measure because they had symptoms which may indicate radiation poisoning.
Mr Litvinenko was a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir PutinMr Litvinenko was a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin
Daily Mirror reporter Graham Brough, meanwhile, has said he will also be referred after conducting an interview with Mr Scaramella, one of the men who had a meeting with Mr Litvinenko on 1 November. Daily Mirror reporter Graham Brough, meanwhile, has said he will also be referred after conducting an interview with Mr Scaramella.
He said he submitted a blood sample after NHS officials "asked a series of questions, then homed in on the fact that Scaramella's palm had been slightly sweaty when I shook hands".
The HPA is yet to confirm that Mr Brough will join the three people set to undergo further tests.The HPA is yet to confirm that Mr Brough will join the three people set to undergo further tests.
EXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates tracesEXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates traces
Polonium-210 cannot pass through skin, and must be ingested or inhaled to cause damage.Polonium-210 cannot pass through skin, and must be ingested or inhaled to cause damage.
There is a theoretical risk that anyone who came into contact with the urine, faeces, and possibly even sweat, of Mr Litvinenko could ingest a small amount of polonium-210.There is a theoretical risk that anyone who came into contact with the urine, faeces, and possibly even sweat, of Mr Litvinenko could ingest a small amount of polonium-210.
But this kind of radiation has a very short range and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or by the dead layer of outer skin.But this kind of radiation has a very short range and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or by the dead layer of outer skin.
The HPA said the risk of the public being exposed remains low and most traces can be eliminated through handwashing, or washing machine and dishwasher cycles.The HPA said the risk of the public being exposed remains low and most traces can be eliminated through handwashing, or washing machine and dishwasher cycles.
Office visitOffice visit
The government's civil contingencies committee Cobra is due to meet again to discuss the case.The government's civil contingencies committee Cobra is due to meet again to discuss the case.
The first places where polonium-210 radiation was discovered were the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square and Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London.The first places where polonium-210 radiation was discovered were the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square and Mr Litvinenko's home in Muswell Hill, north London.
On the day he was taken ill, he had had meetings at the restaurant and the hotel's Pine Bar.On the day he was taken ill, he had had meetings at the restaurant and the hotel's Pine Bar.
Mr Litvinenko's friend Alex Goldfarb said one of the latest addresses where radiation was found - 7 Down Street - houses the offices of Mr Berezovsky, an associate.Mr Litvinenko's friend Alex Goldfarb said one of the latest addresses where radiation was found - 7 Down Street - houses the offices of Mr Berezovsky, an associate.
The fifth location, on the fourth floor of 25 Grosvenor Street, is the headquarters of security and risk management company Erinys.The fifth location, on the fourth floor of 25 Grosvenor Street, is the headquarters of security and risk management company Erinys.
Erinys said the company "immediately contacted" the police to tell them of a visit made by Mr Litvinenko to its offices.Erinys said the company "immediately contacted" the police to tell them of a visit made by Mr Litvinenko to its offices.
The death of the 43-year-old former KGB colonel last Thursday has been linked to the discovery of polonium-210 in his body.The death of the 43-year-old former KGB colonel last Thursday has been linked to the discovery of polonium-210 in his body.
Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of prominent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government.Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of prominent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government.
He became a British citizen after coming to live in the UK in 2000.He became a British citizen after coming to live in the UK in 2000.
Home Secretary John Reid told MPs that Russia had been asked to co-operate in the inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.Home Secretary John Reid told MPs that Russia had been asked to co-operate in the inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.
In an emergency statement in the Commons on Monday, Mr Reid said the Russian ambassador had been called to the Foreign Office at the end of last week.In an emergency statement in the Commons on Monday, Mr Reid said the Russian ambassador had been called to the Foreign Office at the end of last week.
Friends have suggested Russian top-level involvement in his death because Mr Litvinenko was a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.Friends have suggested Russian top-level involvement in his death because Mr Litvinenko was a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed allegations of involvement in the death as "sheer nonsense".But the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed allegations of involvement in the death as "sheer nonsense".