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Radiation find in British embassy Radiation find in British embassy
(40 minutes later)
Small traces of a radioactive substance have been found at the British embassy in Moscow following a precautionary check, the UK Foreign Office has said.Small traces of a radioactive substance have been found at the British embassy in Moscow following a precautionary check, the UK Foreign Office has said.
But officials said the levels of radiation found would not pose a risk to public health.But officials said the levels of radiation found would not pose a risk to public health.
It comes as British police said they were treating the death of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko as murder.It comes as British police said they were treating the death of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko as murder.
The former KGB agent's death on 23 November, in London, has been linked to the highly toxic isotope polonium-210.The former KGB agent's death on 23 November, in London, has been linked to the highly toxic isotope polonium-210.
"Detectives in this case are keeping an open mind and methodically following the evidence," Scotland Yard said in a statement."Detectives in this case are keeping an open mind and methodically following the evidence," Scotland Yard said in a statement.
"It is important to stress that we have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.""It is important to stress that we have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death."
The British embassy announced on 4 December it would test one of its rooms as a precaution, after former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi visited the building to deny any involvement in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko.The British embassy announced on 4 December it would test one of its rooms as a precaution, after former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi visited the building to deny any involvement in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko.
Mr Lugovoi and another Russian businessman reportedly met with the former spy in London on 1 November.Mr Lugovoi and another Russian businessman reportedly met with the former spy in London on 1 November.
Italian contactItalian contact
Earlier, Mario Scaramella, the Italian academic who met the ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko on the day he fell ill, was discharged from hospital in London.Earlier, Mario Scaramella, the Italian academic who met the ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko on the day he fell ill, was discharged from hospital in London.
Preventative checks were carried out at the British embassyPreventative checks were carried out at the British embassy
Mr Scaramella was under observation after testing positive for polonium-210.Mr Scaramella was under observation after testing positive for polonium-210.
He had a meeting with Mr Litvinenko on 1 November at a sushi bar in central London.He had a meeting with Mr Litvinenko on 1 November at a sushi bar in central London.
A spokesman for University College Hospital said Mr Scaramella was not showing any symptoms of radiation poisoning.A spokesman for University College Hospital said Mr Scaramella was not showing any symptoms of radiation poisoning.
The Health Protection Agency also confirmed that staff at the restaurant where the pair met had all tested negative for radiation.The Health Protection Agency also confirmed that staff at the restaurant where the pair met had all tested negative for radiation.
InterviewInterview
Meanwhile, Mr Lugovoi is expected to talk to Scotland Yard investigators in the Russian capital, his business associate Vyacheslav Sokolenko said. Meanwhile, Dmitry Kovtun, a business associate of Mr Lugovoi, is reported to have been interviewed by British police in Moscow.
Mr Sokolenko confirmed he was in London with Mr Lugovoi on 1 November but said he did not meet or know Mr Litvinenko. The pair met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November at the Millennium Hotel in central London.
Mr Lugovoi is also expected to talk to British detectives in the Russian capital, his business associate Vyacheslav Sokolenko said.
Mr Sokolenko confirmed he was in London with Mr Lugovoi on 1 November, but said he did not meet or know Mr Litvinenko.
He said the meeting would be at the clinic where he says Mr Lugovoi is undergoing medical checks.He said the meeting would be at the clinic where he says Mr Lugovoi is undergoing medical checks.
Russian officials are expected to conduct the interviewing of Mr Lugovoi on Wednesday but British detectives will be in attendance.Russian officials are expected to conduct the interviewing of Mr Lugovoi on Wednesday but British detectives will be in attendance.
"If they show me a list of people that they want to meet and if there are names missing on that list, names that I believe would be interesting to propose to them, then I certainly will," Mr Lugovoi previously told NTV television."If they show me a list of people that they want to meet and if there are names missing on that list, names that I believe would be interesting to propose to them, then I certainly will," Mr Lugovoi previously told NTV television.
I received in the days before a general alert about him in terms of security Mario ScaramellaI received in the days before a general alert about him in terms of security Mario Scaramella
Nine Metropolitan police officers are currently in Moscow but have had restrictions placed on their investigations into Mr Litvinenko's death by the authorities.Nine Metropolitan police officers are currently in Moscow but have had restrictions placed on their investigations into Mr Litvinenko's death by the authorities.
Russia's chief prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, said his own officers would be conducting any witness interviews, British officers could not arrest Russian citizens and suspects would not be extradited to Britain.Russia's chief prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, said his own officers would be conducting any witness interviews, British officers could not arrest Russian citizens and suspects would not be extradited to Britain.
Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism unit has not confirmed who officers will be meeting.Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism unit has not confirmed who officers will be meeting.
British police launched their investigation after Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in a London hospital on 23 November.British police launched their investigation after Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in a London hospital on 23 November.
Tests have been carried out at a number of venues the ex-spy visited in London on 1 November.Tests have been carried out at a number of venues the ex-spy visited in London on 1 November.
'Hostile people''Hostile people'
Earlier, Mr Scaramella said he had received a "general alert" about the former spy's security.Earlier, Mr Scaramella said he had received a "general alert" about the former spy's security.
In an interview from his hospital bed he told CNN he had travelled to London for a conference, but had changed his plans to discuss the threat with Mr Litvinenko .In an interview from his hospital bed he told CNN he had travelled to London for a conference, but had changed his plans to discuss the threat with Mr Litvinenko .
He said had received e-mails claiming that both he and Mr Litvinenko were "under the special attention of hostile people", but neither man believed the threats were real.He said had received e-mails claiming that both he and Mr Litvinenko were "under the special attention of hostile people", but neither man believed the threats were real.
When asked what kind of people would be targeting him, he said: "People linked with some clandestine organisations, not directly under control of Russian establishment but from Russia."When asked what kind of people would be targeting him, he said: "People linked with some clandestine organisations, not directly under control of Russian establishment but from Russia."
Friends believe Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticisms of the Russian government, but the Kremlin has dismissed suggestions it was involved in any way as "sheer nonsense".Friends believe Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticisms of the Russian government, but the Kremlin has dismissed suggestions it was involved in any way as "sheer nonsense".