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| Inquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko – live updates | Inquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.08am GMT | |
| 09:08 | |
| Selected journalists, including the Guardian’s Luke Harding, are being given an early look at the report ahead of publication at 9.35am. | |
| Harding provides a rough time table of the order of play. | |
| Today's #Litvinenko timetable: 8am lock-in; 9.35am inquiry report published; 10am statement from Robert Owen; 11am Marina L press conference | |
| There will then be statements in the Commons by the Home Secretary Theresa May at around 11.30. | |
| 2 Statements confirmed at 11.30: 1. Litvinenko Inquiry - May; 2. Infected Blood: reform of financial and other support @JaneEllison | |
| 9.01am GMT | |
| 09:01 | |
| Anatoly Litvinenko, the son of murdered Russian exile, talked on Wednesday about his last memories of his father. He said he wants the truth to be established. | |
| 8.52am GMT | |
| 08:52 | |
| Alexander Goldfarb, head of the Litvinenko Justice Foundation, called on the UK to urge the UN to condemn Russia’s over his friend’s killing. | |
| Interviewed on the Today programme he insisted there is “proof” of Russia’s involvement. But he conceded there is no direct proof of any involvement of Russian president Vladimir Putin. | |
| He said: “The British government should go to the [UN] security council and demand a resolution to censure Russia – to have Russia accept responsibility and pay compensation to the victims.” | |
| Goldfarb also called for UK sanctions to be imposed on Russia. He said Russia’s “atomic enterprises” should be particularly targeted. | |
| He argued that appeasing Putin’s Russia would result in more aggression. | |
| 8.28am GMT | 8.28am GMT |
| 08:28 | 08:28 |
| Tony Brenton, who was British ambassador to Russia at the time of the killing, said it was “unlikely” any proof about who authorised the murder had turned up. | Tony Brenton, who was British ambassador to Russia at the time of the killing, said it was “unlikely” any proof about who authorised the murder had turned up. |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said: “Our reaction was that it was likely to have been authorised at quite a high level in the Russian system because they wouldn’t do something so potentially damaging for a major power without high authorisation. | Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said: “Our reaction was that it was likely to have been authorised at quite a high level in the Russian system because they wouldn’t do something so potentially damaging for a major power without high authorisation. |
| But at my time there was no slam-dunk proof and I think it’s quite unlikely any real evidence has turned up as to where the authorisation has come from.” | But at my time there was no slam-dunk proof and I think it’s quite unlikely any real evidence has turned up as to where the authorisation has come from.” |
| Brenton said that while the UK must react “strongly” to the murder, “tearing up” diplomatic relations with Russia was “not in Britain’s interests”. | Brenton said that while the UK must react “strongly” to the murder, “tearing up” diplomatic relations with Russia was “not in Britain’s interests”. |
| “We have quite important other fish to fry with the Russians. They are very important in carrying the Iran de-nuclearisation through, they are absolutely crucial in sorting out the mess in Syria.” | “We have quite important other fish to fry with the Russians. They are very important in carrying the Iran de-nuclearisation through, they are absolutely crucial in sorting out the mess in Syria.” |
| 8.20am GMT | 8.20am GMT |
| 08:20 | 08:20 |
| Luke Harding | Luke Harding |
| Welcome to live coverage of the publication of the results of the public inquiry into the polonium poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. | Welcome to live coverage of the publication of the results of the public inquiry into the polonium poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. |
| Here’s the start of Luke Harding’s curtain raiser to the publication of the hearing: | Here’s the start of Luke Harding’s curtain raiser to the publication of the hearing: |
| Almost 10 years after he drank a cup of poisoned green tea in a Mayfair bar, the report into the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is due to be published, amid strong signs that the British government is reluctant to impose further sanctions on Russia. | Almost 10 years after he drank a cup of poisoned green tea in a Mayfair bar, the report into the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is due to be published, amid strong signs that the British government is reluctant to impose further sanctions on Russia. |
| The report will be released at 9.35am on Thursday, with Theresa May making a statement to parliament soon after. Litvinenko’s widow, Marina, who received a copy of the report on Wednesday morning, will give her reaction at a press conference with her barrister, Ben Emmerson QC, and solicitor, Elena Tsirlina. | The report will be released at 9.35am on Thursday, with Theresa May making a statement to parliament soon after. Litvinenko’s widow, Marina, who received a copy of the report on Wednesday morning, will give her reaction at a press conference with her barrister, Ben Emmerson QC, and solicitor, Elena Tsirlina. |
| David Cameron received the report, which follows a public inquiry chaired by high court judge Sir Robert Owen, on Tuesday. It is widely believed that Owen will conclude that Litvinenko – who died in November 2006 after sipping radioactive polonium – was the victim of a Russian state assassination. | David Cameron received the report, which follows a public inquiry chaired by high court judge Sir Robert Owen, on Tuesday. It is widely believed that Owen will conclude that Litvinenko – who died in November 2006 after sipping radioactive polonium – was the victim of a Russian state assassination. |
| If, as expected, the Kremlin is blamed directly, Litvinenko’s widow will demand a firm response from Downing Street. She is likely to call for fresh sanctions to be imposed on Russian politicians involved in the murder, as well as against state entities – a tough line that is also backed by the Liberal Democrats. | If, as expected, the Kremlin is blamed directly, Litvinenko’s widow will demand a firm response from Downing Street. She is likely to call for fresh sanctions to be imposed on Russian politicians involved in the murder, as well as against state entities – a tough line that is also backed by the Liberal Democrats. |
| Last year, Emmerson described Litvinenko as the victim of a “state-sponsored act of nuclear terrorism” on the streets of London, adding that “the trail of polonium led directly to the door of Vladimir Putin’s office”. Emmerson dubbed the Russian president “a common criminal dressed up as a head of state.” | Last year, Emmerson described Litvinenko as the victim of a “state-sponsored act of nuclear terrorism” on the streets of London, adding that “the trail of polonium led directly to the door of Vladimir Putin’s office”. Emmerson dubbed the Russian president “a common criminal dressed up as a head of state.” |
| At the time of his murder Litvinenko was a British citizen – and a part-time MI6 spy. Marina Litvinenko is understood to view the report as a major test for Cameron. The government’s response, she believes, will show whether Downing Street is tough on all forms of terrorism, or only tough on terrorism carried out by non-state groups. | At the time of his murder Litvinenko was a British citizen – and a part-time MI6 spy. Marina Litvinenko is understood to view the report as a major test for Cameron. The government’s response, she believes, will show whether Downing Street is tough on all forms of terrorism, or only tough on terrorism carried out by non-state groups. |
| Luke has also put together a guide to six of the key players: Andrei Lugovoi, Marina Litvinenko, Sir Robert Owen, Dmitry Kovtun, Ben Emmerson and Vladimir Putin. | Luke has also put together a guide to six of the key players: Andrei Lugovoi, Marina Litvinenko, Sir Robert Owen, Dmitry Kovtun, Ben Emmerson and Vladimir Putin. |
| And here are six key questions for the inquiry to answer: | And here are six key questions for the inquiry to answer: |