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Doctors set for spy post-mortem Spy post-mortem due to take place
(about 7 hours later)
A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on the body of the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died from radiation poisoning. A post-mortem examination is to be carried out on the body of the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died from radiation poisoning.
Those present will wear protective clothing to avoid contamination by traces of the polonium-210 isotope.Those present will wear protective clothing to avoid contamination by traces of the polonium-210 isotope.
The probe into the death has seen two planes tested for radiation and a third is flying back from Moscow for checks. The probe into his death has seen two planes tested for radiation and a third is flying back from Moscow for checks.
It has emerged that Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Olympics chief Lord Coe travelled on one of the aircraft. It has emerged Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Olympics chief Lord Coe travelled on one of the aircraft.
The pair took a British Airways flight to Barcelona in November on board one of the two planes that have already been tested for traces of radiation.The pair took a British Airways flight to Barcelona in November on board one of the two planes that have already been tested for traces of radiation.
A spokesman for Ms Jowell said the minister had contacted the NHS for health advice but was at no medical risk and was "very unperturbed" by the news. A spokesman for Ms Jowell said the minister had contacted the NHS for health advice but was at no medical risk and was "very unperturbed".
HAVE YOUR SAY I work in the one of the office buildings where polonium-210 has been detected, and we have had no assistance at all from the authorities Gate, London Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY I work in the one of the office buildings where polonium-210 has been detected, and we have had no assistance at all from the authorities Gate, London Send us your experiences
The ongoing investigation has unearthed traces of radiation at a total of 12 locations, Home Secretary John Reid confirmed on Thursday. The post-mortem on Mr Litvinenko's body will be carried out at the Royal London Hospital, in east London.
Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB officer and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning attributed to the highly toxic isotope polonium-210.
The investigation into the spy's death has unearthed traces of radiation at 12 locations.
That includes the two British Airways planes, which tested positive after being used to fly between London and Moscow, as well as other European routes.That includes the two British Airways planes, which tested positive after being used to fly between London and Moscow, as well as other European routes.
British Airways is in the process of contacting 33,000 passengers from 221 flights, but the airline and the government have stressed that any risk to public health low. British Airways is contacting 33,000 passengers from 221 flights, but the airline and the government have stressed any risk to public health low. It is referring concerned passengers to NHS Direct.
Moscow theory An NHS Direct spokeswoman said only passengers who feel unwell should call.
The post-mortem on Mr Litvinenko's body will be carried out at the Royal London Hospital in east London.
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
Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB officer and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning attributed to the highly toxic isotope polonium-210. Investigators may be able to trace the origin of the polonium-210.
Ian Hutcheon, an expert in nuclear forensics, said: "If you have samples of the material, you can gather information about where they were or were not produced by analysing trace constituents."
On Friday the British Embassy in Moscow said there was no information to suspect any link between Mr Litvinenko's death and the illness of former prime minister of Russia Yegor Gaidar.
Yegor Gaidar became violently ill with a mystery illness Ex-PM has mystery illness
Mr Gaidar fell ill last week on a visit to Ireland and his daughter Maria told the BBC doctors believe he was poisoned. Police are investigating.
Meanwhile, the FBI said it had been asked to join the British investigation into Mr Litvinenko's death and that its experts in weapons of mass destruction would assist with some of the scientific analysis.
The inquest into the death of Mr Litvinenko was opened and adjourned at a London court on Thursday.The inquest into the death of Mr Litvinenko was opened and adjourned at a London court on Thursday.
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid said the level of polonium-210 in Mr Litvinenko's system indicated it had come from a source "other than a natural one". Friends of Mr Litvinenko say Russian intelligence agents plotted to kill the former spy.
Friends of Mr Litvinenko contend that Russian intelligence agents plotted to kill the former spy.
Polonium-210 was discovered in his body, with more traces found at venues he visited in London on 1 November.Polonium-210 was discovered in his body, with more traces found at venues he visited in London on 1 November.
At the opening of the inquest, Alex Goldfarb, a friend of Mr Litvinenko, said the flights being investigated by BA and by police "reinforces the theory that the origin of this material that killed Alexander was in Moscow".
'Low risk'
Investigations so far have focused on Mr Litvinenko's movements, including his meetings at a West End sushi restaurant and a hotel on 1 November, the day he fell ill.
LITVINENKO'S MOVEMENTS 1 November 20061: Meeting at Millennium Hotel2: Meeting at Itsu Sushi bar3: Home in Muswell Hill4: Admitted to Barnet hospital17 November5: Transferred to University College Hospital where dies on 23 NovemberOther sites where radioactive material has been found: 7 Down Street25, 58 Grosvenor StreetSheraton HotelTwo planes at Heathrow AirportCar in north London Passengers 'not getting help'
Experts have suggested that polonium-210 could have been detected in the various locations because it leaked from a container or because it was present in people's bodily fluids.
The Guardian on Friday cited police sources as saying they believed rogue elements in the Russian state were to blame and ruled out official Russian government involvement.
It said police were tracking a group of five or more men who came from Moscow to watch a football game at Arsenal.
The Daily Telegraph, citing government sources, said the alleged killers had dropped the polonium on the floor of one London hotel.
Some 139 members of the public have been referred to the Health Protection Agency as a precaution, of which 24 were referred to a specialist clinic.
The HPA said some 53 healthcare staff and a further 140 people who passed through contaminated areas have been asked to provide urine samples.
BA referred concerned passengers to NHS Direct.
An NHS Direct spokeswoman said that only passengers who felt unwell should call.
  • British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or +44 191 211 3690 for international calls.
  • British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or +44 191 211 3690 for international calls.
  • Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
  • Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.