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Litvinenko public inquiry blocked by government Litvinenko public inquiry blocked by government
(35 minutes later)
The government has refused a request to hold a public inquiry into the death of ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, the coroner has announced.The government has refused a request to hold a public inquiry into the death of ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, the coroner has announced.
Sir Robert Owen had requested an inquiry after ruling the inquest could not hear evidence linked to alleged Russian state involvement.
Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium in London in 2006.Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium in London in 2006.
His family have called for a judicial review of the government's decision, saying it showed "utter contempt". Coroner Sir Robert Owen had requested an inquiry after ruling the inquest could not hear evidence of alleged Russian state involvement in the death.
The coroner said the inquest would now be further delayed and expressed his sympathy for Mrs Litvinenko. The Litvinenko family has called for a judicial review of the refusal, saying it showed "utter contempt".
Sir Robert previously accepted a request from Foreign Secretary William Hague to exclude certain material from the inquest on the grounds its disclosure could be damaging to national security. The former spy's widow, Marina, said she was "frustrated" and "surprised" by the decision.
But this meant the inquest would be unable to look at whether the Russian state was behind the killing or whether the British state could have done more to protect Mr Litvinenko. The coroner said the inquest would now be further delayed, and expressed his sympathy for Mrs Litvinenko.
To tackle this, Sir Robert wrote to the justice secretary last month to request a public inquiry instead of an inquest. 'Irrationality'
The inquiry would allow evidence to be heard in secret, but the request has now been refused. At the request of the government, Sir Robert previously agreed to exclude certain material from the inquest on the grounds its disclosure could be damaging to national security.
However, this meant the inquest would be unable to look at whether the Russian state was behind the killing or whether the British state could have done more to protect Mr Litvinenko.
To tackle this, Sir Robert wrote to the justice secretary last month to request a public inquiry instead of an inquest, as the inquiry would allow evidence to be heard in secret.
But Sir Robert told a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday that the request had been refused.
Ben Emmerson, QC for the Litvinenko family, said: "The government has shown utter contempt for the position of Mrs Litvinenko and her son."Ben Emmerson, QC for the Litvinenko family, said: "The government has shown utter contempt for the position of Mrs Litvinenko and her son."
Mr Litvinenko, 43, died after he was poisoned while drinking tea at a London hotel in 2006. Mr Emmerson told the hearing that the family wanted a judicial review on the grounds of "irrationality" into the decision not to hold a public inquiry.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, died after he was poisoned while drinking tea with two Russian men, one a former KGB officer, at a London hotel in 2006.
His family believe he was working for MI6 at the time of his death and was killed on the orders of the Kremlin.
The inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death has already faced major delays because both the UK and Russian governments have been slow to disclose documents.The inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death has already faced major delays because both the UK and Russian governments have been slow to disclose documents.
Police have sought the arrest of two Russian nationals in relation to the death - Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun - but the Russian authorities have refused to hand them over. They deny any involvement.Police have sought the arrest of two Russian nationals in relation to the death - Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun - but the Russian authorities have refused to hand them over. They deny any involvement.