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UK spy probe police go to Russia UK spy probe police go to Russia
(30 minutes later)
UK police are believed to have left for Moscow as part of the probe into the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko. British police have left for Moscow as part of the investigation into the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, Home Secretary John Reid has said.
Home Secretary John Reid is reported as saying officers had departed for the Russian capital to carry out inquiries. Mr Reid said officers would "follow the evidence wherever it goes".
He said police may also travel to Italy as part of the investigation into the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko. The Kremlin has given assurances that support and information would be forthcoming, the home secretary added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that speculation over the death of Mr Litvinenko was harming relations between Russia and the UK.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that speculation over the death of Mr Litvinenko was harming relations between Russia and the UK.
'Good relationship'
Mr Reid, in Brussels for European Union (EU) talks, said: "Margaret Beckett (Foreign Secretary) has made plain to her Russian colleagues that we are asking them to give us all the support and information that they can, and her Russian colleagues have, as far as I am aware, assured her that such support will be forthcoming. I hope that good relationship continues."
He added: "The police will follow the evidence wherever it goes. The police have left today for Moscow to follow their inquiries with people who may be able to help them in that direction."
Mr Lavrov said there was a need to avoid politicising the issue of the ex-Russian spy's death.Mr Lavrov said there was a need to avoid politicising the issue of the ex-Russian spy's death.
"If the British have questions, then they should be sent via the law enforcement agencies between which there are contacts," he added."If the British have questions, then they should be sent via the law enforcement agencies between which there are contacts," he added.
Mr Reid has sought to reassure EU ministers over the health threat posed by the ex-spy's poisoning.Mr Reid has sought to reassure EU ministers over the health threat posed by the ex-spy's poisoning.
He also updated them on the latest developments in the inquiry into Mr Litvenko's death at talks in Brussels. We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject Sergey LavrovRussian Foreign Minister
Mr Lavrov said that Kremlin officials should not be involved in the British police inquiry into Mr Litvenenko's death. He also updated them on the latest developments in the inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.
Mr Lavrov said that Kremlin officials should not be involved in the British police inquiry.
He said: "The only thing that we are talking about today is the need to avoid politicising this issue, this tragedy.He said: "The only thing that we are talking about today is the need to avoid politicising this issue, this tragedy.
"We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject.""We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject."
Italian Mario Scaramella - a contact of Mr Litvinenko's - is still being observed by doctors after testing positive for radiation.Italian Mario Scaramella - a contact of Mr Litvinenko's - is still being observed by doctors after testing positive for radiation.
However, doctors say Mr Scaramella, who had traces of polonium-210 in his body and met Mr Litvinenko the day the former KGB agent fell ill, remains well.However, doctors say Mr Scaramella, who had traces of polonium-210 in his body and met Mr Litvinenko the day the former KGB agent fell ill, remains well.
'Wider investigation''Wider investigation'
Arriving at the European Council meeting Mr Reid said: "I am informing my European colleagues on developments in the case and reassuring them so that they are aware that any health threat is absolutely minimal, so far as we can tell."Arriving at the European Council meeting Mr Reid said: "I am informing my European colleagues on developments in the case and reassuring them so that they are aware that any health threat is absolutely minimal, so far as we can tell."
He went on: "British police are going to Russia to continue their inquiries, and they will go wherever the evidence leads them - this is a normal police investigation."
On Sunday the home secretary said the circle of information relating to the case would widen beyond the UK.On Sunday the home secretary said the circle of information relating to the case would widen beyond the UK.
He said British health authorities had already been in touch with health departments in other EU countries.He said British health authorities had already been in touch with health departments in other EU countries.
The BBC's Daniel Sandford said it was understood nine officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command could travel to Russia as early as Monday. The BBC's Daniel Sandford said it was understood nine officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command could travel to Russia.
Mario Scaramella met Mr Litvinenko the day he fell illMario Scaramella met Mr Litvinenko the day he fell ill
The specialist unit - which was launched in October to meet terrorist threats - is heading the investigation into the former KGB agent's poisoning.The specialist unit - which was launched in October to meet terrorist threats - is heading the investigation into the former KGB agent's poisoning.
Shadow home secretary David Davis welcomed news that the investigation was expanding.Shadow home secretary David Davis welcomed news that the investigation was expanding.
He told BBC One's The Politics Show on Sunday: "I think it's a good thing, I think it's very important that no channel is left unpursued, that this investigation goes right to its limit wherever that may be and that limit should not be a diplomatic limit, it should be the limit of the evidence."He told BBC One's The Politics Show on Sunday: "I think it's a good thing, I think it's very important that no channel is left unpursued, that this investigation goes right to its limit wherever that may be and that limit should not be a diplomatic limit, it should be the limit of the evidence."
There has been no change in the condition of Mr Scaramella, who is being monitored at University College Hospital, London.There has been no change in the condition of Mr Scaramella, who is being monitored at University College Hospital, London.
Doctors said the academic - who was one of the last people to meet Mr Litvinenko before his death last month - was "well" with "normal" test results.Doctors said the academic - who was one of the last people to meet Mr Litvinenko before his death last month - was "well" with "normal" test results.
He is said to be displaying no symptoms of radiation poisoning, but Mr Scaramella's lawyer Sergio Rastrelli has said his client is "clearly worried".He is said to be displaying no symptoms of radiation poisoning, but Mr Scaramella's lawyer Sergio Rastrelli has said his client is "clearly worried".
Radioactive measures
Mr Litvinenko's death is being linked to the discovery of polonium-210 in his body.Mr Litvinenko's death is being linked to the discovery of polonium-210 in his body.
Friends believe he was poisoned because of his criticisms of the Putin government.Friends believe he was poisoned because of his criticisms of the Putin government.
The Scaramella file resembles a story from a spy novel BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner Scaramella in spotlight
On Saturday, airline Easyjet said Mr Scaramella had flown on flight 3506 from Naples to Stansted, Essex, on 31 October and also on flight 3505 from Stansted to Naples on 3 November.On Saturday, airline Easyjet said Mr Scaramella had flown on flight 3506 from Naples to Stansted, Essex, on 31 October and also on flight 3505 from Stansted to Naples on 3 November.
But the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it had no "public health concerns" about those flights.But the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it had no "public health concerns" about those flights.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander also moved to reassure the public and said on Sunday the government did have measures in place at airports to detect "radioactive materials".Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander also moved to reassure the public and said on Sunday the government did have measures in place at airports to detect "radioactive materials".
The Health Protection Agency said just over 3,000 people had now called the NHS Direct line in the wake of the radiation scare in the UK, with 179 being followed up for further investigation.The Health Protection Agency said just over 3,000 people had now called the NHS Direct line in the wake of the radiation scare in the UK, with 179 being followed up for further investigation.
Twenty-seven people were referred as a precaution to a specialist outpatient clinic for radiological exposure assessment.Twenty-seven people were referred as a precaution to a specialist outpatient clinic for radiological exposure assessment.
A total of 70 urine samples, mainly from medical staff and ambulance workers, have been tested and found negative.A total of 70 urine samples, mainly from medical staff and ambulance workers, have been tested and found negative.