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Poison test for spy case academic Poison test for spy case academic
(40 minutes later)
The academic who met former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko on the day he was taken ill from radiation poisoning has returned to the UK to be tested.The academic who met former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko on the day he was taken ill from radiation poisoning has returned to the UK to be tested.
Police will also interview Italian Mario Scaramella as a potential witness as part of the inquiry into the death.Police will also interview Italian Mario Scaramella as a potential witness as part of the inquiry into the death.
Detectives are continuing to examine five locations in London where traces of polonium-210 were found.Detectives are continuing to examine five locations in London where traces of polonium-210 were found.
Camden Council said post mortem and special examinations of Mr Litvinenko will take place on Friday.Camden Council said post mortem and special examinations of Mr Litvinenko will take place on Friday.
The tests were delayed over concerns about the health implications for those present.The tests were delayed over concerns about the health implications for those present.
The prime minister, meanwhile, has said no "diplomatic or political barrier" would stand in the way of the police investigation.The prime minister, meanwhile, has 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.
Reporter 'tested'Reporter 'tested'
The Health Protection Agency said three people who had been to the venues or had contact with Mr Litvinenko are to undergo radiological tests.The Health Protection Agency said three people who had been to the venues or had contact with Mr Litvinenko are to undergo radiological tests.
Mr Litvinenko was a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir PutinMr Litvinenko was a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin
It said more than 450 people had called a government hotline for advice and 18 had been followed up.It 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.
Daily Mirror reporter Graham Brough has also said he will also be referred after conducting an interview with Mr Scaramella.Daily Mirror reporter Graham Brough has also said he will also be referred after conducting an interview with Mr Scaramella.
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.
Police intend to interview Mr Scaramella but it is understood that he is not in protective custody.Police intend to interview Mr Scaramella but it is understood that he is not in protective custody.
Office visitOffice visit
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.
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
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.
The government's civil contingencies committee Cobra is meeting again to discuss the case.The government's civil contingencies committee Cobra is meeting again to discuss the case.
Scotland Yard has been piecing together Mr Litvinenko's movements on 1 November, the day he fell ill.Scotland Yard has been piecing together Mr Litvinenko's movements on 1 November, the day he fell ill.
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 with Mr Scaramella and at 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 exiled tycoon Boris 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 exiled tycoon Boris 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.
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".