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| Alexander Litvinenko murder: UK freezes assets of chief suspects – as it happened | Alexander Litvinenko murder: UK freezes assets of chief suspects – as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 3.00pm GMT | 3.00pm GMT |
| 15:00 | 15:00 |
| The Russian embassy has posted this account of what ambassador Alexander Yakovenko told the foreign office during the meeting he was summoned to today: | The Russian embassy has posted this account of what ambassador Alexander Yakovenko told the foreign office during the meeting he was summoned to today: |
| 1. We consider the Litvinenko case and the way it was disposed of a blatant provocation of the British authorities. | 1. We consider the Litvinenko case and the way it was disposed of a blatant provocation of the British authorities. |
| 2. We will never accept anything arrived at in secret and based on the evidence not tested in an open court of law. | 2. We will never accept anything arrived at in secret and based on the evidence not tested in an open court of law. |
| 3. The length of time that it took to “close” this case in this way makes us to believe it to be a whitewash for British special services’ institutional incompetence. | 3. The length of time that it took to “close” this case in this way makes us to believe it to be a whitewash for British special services’ institutional incompetence. |
| 4. We also noted that the British government suspended the coroner’s inquest which was open for public and media and where the Investigative Committee of Russia took part as an interested person, in favor of the public enquiry, which in fact is secret, at the height of political tension with Russia over Ukraine in July 2014. We view it as an attempt to put additional pressure on Russia in connection with existing differences over a number of international issues. | 4. We also noted that the British government suspended the coroner’s inquest which was open for public and media and where the Investigative Committee of Russia took part as an interested person, in favor of the public enquiry, which in fact is secret, at the height of political tension with Russia over Ukraine in July 2014. We view it as an attempt to put additional pressure on Russia in connection with existing differences over a number of international issues. |
| 5. For us it is absolutely unacceptable that the report concludes that the Russian state was in any way involved in the death of Mr Litvinenko on British soil. | 5. For us it is absolutely unacceptable that the report concludes that the Russian state was in any way involved in the death of Mr Litvinenko on British soil. |
| 6. This gross provocation of the British authorities cannot help hurting our bilateral relationship. | 6. This gross provocation of the British authorities cannot help hurting our bilateral relationship. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.01pm GMT | at 3.01pm GMT |
| 2.58pm GMT | 2.58pm GMT |
| 14:58 | 14:58 |
| Here’s a summary of what we know. | Here’s a summary of what we know. |
| That’s it for now. There will be more news and analysis on Alexander Litvinenko section of the Guardian’s site. | That’s it for now. There will be more news and analysis on Alexander Litvinenko section of the Guardian’s site. |
| 2.43pm GMT | 2.43pm GMT |
| 14:43 | 14:43 |
| Carl Bildt Sweden’s former prime minister and its foreign minister at the time of the murder said the conclusion of the report were “truly scary”. | Carl Bildt Sweden’s former prime minister and its foreign minister at the time of the murder said the conclusion of the report were “truly scary”. |
| The full Litvinenko report. It's not fiction - it's reality in Europe in our time. Truly scary. https://t.co/6hTrEVW9FY | The full Litvinenko report. It's not fiction - it's reality in Europe in our time. Truly scary. https://t.co/6hTrEVW9FY |
| 2.14pm GMT | 2.14pm GMT |
| 14:14 | 14:14 |
| Patrick Wintour | Patrick Wintour |
| The foreign office minister David Liddington met the Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to assert that Russia had demonstrated “a flagrant disregard for UK law, international law and standards of conduct, and the safety of UK citizens”, writes Patrick Wintour. | The foreign office minister David Liddington met the Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to assert that Russia had demonstrated “a flagrant disregard for UK law, international law and standards of conduct, and the safety of UK citizens”, writes Patrick Wintour. |
| Liddington added the Russian’s conduct “would further complicate bilateral relations, undermine trust, and damage Russia’s reputation internationally.” | Liddington added the Russian’s conduct “would further complicate bilateral relations, undermine trust, and damage Russia’s reputation internationally.” |
| Even though there is no prospect Russia will change its stance Liddington insisted it was unacceptable that Russia has not complied with the Crown Prosecution Service’s formal request to extradite Lugovoy. | Even though there is no prospect Russia will change its stance Liddington insisted it was unacceptable that Russia has not complied with the Crown Prosecution Service’s formal request to extradite Lugovoy. |
| Russia, Liddington said had “to provide answers to the questions raised by this report, to account for the actions of the Russian intelligence services in this case, and to provide an assurance that a similar crime would not be repeated.” | Russia, Liddington said had “to provide answers to the questions raised by this report, to account for the actions of the Russian intelligence services in this case, and to provide an assurance that a similar crime would not be repeated.” |
| In practice Britain will now be waiting to see if Russia imposes any counter measures, or instead decides to show its contempt for the allegations against Putin by simply ignoring the issue, and focussing on its support for President Assad in Syria. | In practice Britain will now be waiting to see if Russia imposes any counter measures, or instead decides to show its contempt for the allegations against Putin by simply ignoring the issue, and focussing on its support for President Assad in Syria. |
| 2.11pm GMT | 2.11pm GMT |
| 14:11 | 14:11 |
| Patrick Wintour | Patrick Wintour |
| Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said the government’s diplomatic response did not “go anywhere near enough in answering the seriousness of the findings”, writes Patrick Wintour. | Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said the government’s diplomatic response did not “go anywhere near enough in answering the seriousness of the findings”, writes Patrick Wintour. |
| Burham said the UK’s response and “could send a dangerous signal to Russia that our response is too weak”. He said the report was “one of the most shocking and disturbing reports ever presented to parliament” | Burham said the UK’s response and “could send a dangerous signal to Russia that our response is too weak”. He said the report was “one of the most shocking and disturbing reports ever presented to parliament” |
| He suggested the immediate expulsion of every FSB operative in the UK and strengthened economic sanctions. | He suggested the immediate expulsion of every FSB operative in the UK and strengthened economic sanctions. |
| The shadow home secretary at the time of the murder, David Davis ,said the report meant that in a civil UK court Putin would be found guilty of complicity in murder. He said “we need to go after the financial assets of Putin in the Bahamas and in Cyprus. Eventually you get to a point when with a dictator you have to draw a line as we did in the Thirties”. | The shadow home secretary at the time of the murder, David Davis ,said the report meant that in a civil UK court Putin would be found guilty of complicity in murder. He said “we need to go after the financial assets of Putin in the Bahamas and in Cyprus. Eventually you get to a point when with a dictator you have to draw a line as we did in the Thirties”. |
| The former Labour culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said: “When is the government going to take meaningful action against the dirty Russian money and property here in London that sustains the Putin kleptocracy, and when is the government going to implement the will of this House - passed overwhelmingly in 2012 - in favour of a Magnitsky-type legislation”. | The former Labour culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said: “When is the government going to take meaningful action against the dirty Russian money and property here in London that sustains the Putin kleptocracy, and when is the government going to implement the will of this House - passed overwhelmingly in 2012 - in favour of a Magnitsky-type legislation”. |
| Another former Labour shadow minister, Mary Creagh, urged the government to take action at the level of the United Nations Security Council, something that was rejected by May. | Another former Labour shadow minister, Mary Creagh, urged the government to take action at the level of the United Nations Security Council, something that was rejected by May. |
| The SNP’s Peter Grant said “The report I think leads to only one possible conclusion - we now have to regard the Russian government, the Russian state as an organisation actively involved in the commission, funding, supporting and directing acts of terrorism against UK citizens within the United Kingdom.” | The SNP’s Peter Grant said “The report I think leads to only one possible conclusion - we now have to regard the Russian government, the Russian state as an organisation actively involved in the commission, funding, supporting and directing acts of terrorism against UK citizens within the United Kingdom.” |
| 1.55pm GMT | 1.55pm GMT |
| 13:55 | 13:55 |
| Shaun Walker | Shaun Walker |
| Shaun Walker in Moscow has more reaction from Russia, on much the same lines as before. | Shaun Walker in Moscow has more reaction from Russia, on much the same lines as before. |
| Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, who has been summoned to the foreign office over the inquiry’s findings, told Russian news agency RIA Novosti he believes the findings were “an attempt to exert pressure on Russia due to differences over international issues”. | Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, who has been summoned to the foreign office over the inquiry’s findings, told Russian news agency RIA Novosti he believes the findings were “an attempt to exert pressure on Russia due to differences over international issues”. |
| A statement from Russia’s investigative committee, which has been accused of carrying out politicised investigations in a number of high-profile murders in Russia, including that of Boris Nemtsov last February, also lambasted the British inquiry. | A statement from Russia’s investigative committee, which has been accused of carrying out politicised investigations in a number of high-profile murders in Russia, including that of Boris Nemtsov last February, also lambasted the British inquiry. |
| “The guilty party had been determined from the start, and the inquiry was just set up to bring up some supposedly secret ‘facts’. The very idea of a public inquiry with secret facts which can be manipulated in any way is absurd”. | “The guilty party had been determined from the start, and the inquiry was just set up to bring up some supposedly secret ‘facts’. The very idea of a public inquiry with secret facts which can be manipulated in any way is absurd”. |
| Putin himself has been chairing a meeting of Russia’s science and education council this afternoon, and has not made any comment on the inquiry. His spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also not commented. | Putin himself has been chairing a meeting of Russia’s science and education council this afternoon, and has not made any comment on the inquiry. His spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also not commented. |
| 1.52pm GMT | 1.52pm GMT |
| 13:52 | 13:52 |
| In Sir Robert Owen’s report under a section about possible motives for the murder, the QC points out that Litvinenko accused President Putin of being a paedophile. | In Sir Robert Owen’s report under a section about possible motives for the murder, the QC points out that Litvinenko accused President Putin of being a paedophile. |
| It says: “Litvinenko made repeated highly personal attacks on President Putin, culminating in the allegation of paedophilia in July 2006.” | It says: “Litvinenko made repeated highly personal attacks on President Putin, culminating in the allegation of paedophilia in July 2006.” |
| The report carries this text from the article: | The report carries this text from the article: |
| “A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin walked from the Big Kremlin Palace to his Residence. At one of the Kremlin squares, the president stopped to chat with the tourists. Among them was a boy aged 4 or 5. | “A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin walked from the Big Kremlin Palace to his Residence. At one of the Kremlin squares, the president stopped to chat with the tourists. Among them was a boy aged 4 or 5. |
| “What is your name?’ Putin asked. ’Nikita,’ the boy replied. | “What is your name?’ Putin asked. ’Nikita,’ the boy replied. |
| Putin knee[le]d, lifted the boy’s T-shirt and kissed his stomach. | Putin knee[le]d, lifted the boy’s T-shirt and kissed his stomach. |
| The world public is shocked. Nobody can understand why the Russian president did such a strange thing as kissing the stomach of an unfamiliar small boy. | The world public is shocked. Nobody can understand why the Russian president did such a strange thing as kissing the stomach of an unfamiliar small boy. |
| The explanation may be found if we look carefully at the so-called ‘blank spots’ in Putin’s biography. | The explanation may be found if we look carefully at the so-called ‘blank spots’ in Putin’s biography. |
| After graduating from the Andropov Institute, which prepares officers for the KGB intelligence service, Putin was not accepted into the foreign intelligence. Instead, he was sent to a junior position in KGB Leningrad Directorate. | After graduating from the Andropov Institute, which prepares officers for the KGB intelligence service, Putin was not accepted into the foreign intelligence. Instead, he was sent to a junior position in KGB Leningrad Directorate. |
| This was a very unusual twist for a career of an Andropov Institute’s graduate with fluent German. Why did that happen with Putin? | This was a very unusual twist for a career of an Andropov Institute’s graduate with fluent German. Why did that happen with Putin? |
| Because, shortly before his graduation, his bosses learned that Putin was a pedophile [sic]. So say some people who knew Putin as a student at the Institute. | Because, shortly before his graduation, his bosses learned that Putin was a pedophile [sic]. So say some people who knew Putin as a student at the Institute. |
| The Institute officials feared to report this to their own superiors, which would cause an unpleasant investigation. They decided it was easier just to avoid sending Putin abroad under some pretext. Such a solution is not unusual for the secret services. | The Institute officials feared to report this to their own superiors, which would cause an unpleasant investigation. They decided it was easier just to avoid sending Putin abroad under some pretext. Such a solution is not unusual for the secret services. |
| Many years later, when Putin became the FSB director and was preparing for the presidency, he began to seek and destroy any compromising materials collected against him by the secret services over earlier years. It was not difficult, provided he himself was the FSB director. Among other things, Putin found videotapes in the FSB Internal Security directorate, which showed him making sex with some underage boys. | Many years later, when Putin became the FSB director and was preparing for the presidency, he began to seek and destroy any compromising materials collected against him by the secret services over earlier years. It was not difficult, provided he himself was the FSB director. Among other things, Putin found videotapes in the FSB Internal Security directorate, which showed him making sex with some underage boys. |
| Interestingly, the video was recorded in the same conspiratorial flat in Polyanka Street in Moscow where Russian Prosecutor-General Yuri Skuratov was secretly video-taped with two prostitutes. Later, in the famous scandal, Putin (on Roman Abramovich’s instructions) blackmailed Skuratov with these tapes and tried to persuade the Prosecutor-General to resign. In that conversation, Putin mentioned to Skuratov that he himself was also secretly video-taped making sex at the same bed. (But of course, he did not tell it was pedophilia [sic] rather than normal sex.) Later, Skuratov wrote about this in his book Variant Drakona (pp.153-154).” | Interestingly, the video was recorded in the same conspiratorial flat in Polyanka Street in Moscow where Russian Prosecutor-General Yuri Skuratov was secretly video-taped with two prostitutes. Later, in the famous scandal, Putin (on Roman Abramovich’s instructions) blackmailed Skuratov with these tapes and tried to persuade the Prosecutor-General to resign. In that conversation, Putin mentioned to Skuratov that he himself was also secretly video-taped making sex at the same bed. (But of course, he did not tell it was pedophilia [sic] rather than normal sex.) Later, Skuratov wrote about this in his book Variant Drakona (pp.153-154).” |
| 1.43pm GMT | 1.43pm GMT |
| 13:43 | 13:43 |
| Tory backbencher David Davis said the government’s response did not go far enough. | Tory backbencher David Davis said the government’s response did not go far enough. |
| He said the findings of the report were “astonishing.” Speaking to the World at One he said: “I do not know of a judicial inquiry which has ever come to the conclusion that a foreign head of state has probably authorised murder on the British streets.” | He said the findings of the report were “astonishing.” Speaking to the World at One he said: “I do not know of a judicial inquiry which has ever come to the conclusion that a foreign head of state has probably authorised murder on the British streets.” |
| Asked about the government’s response he said: “It is in the right direction but it is not enough.” He pointed out that Lugovoi and Kovtum were not leave Russia and have been rewarded by the Russian state. “So what we have done so far is gesture. I think we need to expel the intelligence officer at the Russian embassy here. And I think we need to take financial action against Mr Patrushev and Mr Putin.” | Asked about the government’s response he said: “It is in the right direction but it is not enough.” He pointed out that Lugovoi and Kovtum were not leave Russia and have been rewarded by the Russian state. “So what we have done so far is gesture. I think we need to expel the intelligence officer at the Russian embassy here. And I think we need to take financial action against Mr Patrushev and Mr Putin.” |
| “You eventually get to the point with a dictator when you have to draw a line. It is a lesson we learnt in the 30s with Hitler.” | “You eventually get to the point with a dictator when you have to draw a line. It is a lesson we learnt in the 30s with Hitler.” |
| Former shadow home secretary @DavidDavisMP on #LitvinenkoInquiry #wato pic.twitter.com/0PqiFuvH0e | Former shadow home secretary @DavidDavisMP on #LitvinenkoInquiry #wato pic.twitter.com/0PqiFuvH0e |
| 1.28pm GMT | 1.28pm GMT |
| 13:28 | 13:28 |
| Marina Litvinenko 'very proud of British justice' | Marina Litvinenko 'very proud of British justice' |
| Marina Litvinenko said she was “very proud of British justice”. | Marina Litvinenko said she was “very proud of British justice”. |
| Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme she welcomed the imposition of asset freezes on Lugovoi and Kovtum. Asked if Britain’s response was adequate she said: “Yes I believe so.” | Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme she welcomed the imposition of asset freezes on Lugovoi and Kovtum. Asked if Britain’s response was adequate she said: “Yes I believe so.” |
| She confirmed she would be pursuing Russia and the suspects for damages in the courts. | She confirmed she would be pursuing Russia and the suspects for damages in the courts. |
| 1.18pm GMT | 1.18pm GMT |
| 13:18 | 13:18 |
| Amnesty urged the UK to push for Russia’s prosecution. | Amnesty urged the UK to push for Russia’s prosecution. |
| John Dalhueisen, Amnesty’s Europe programme director, said: | John Dalhueisen, Amnesty’s Europe programme director, said: |
| “There is more than enough evidence here for an investigation to be opened in Russia. This is though, sadly, unlikely to happen. But it definitely won’t if the UK government fails to make the case for it forcefully. Otherwise this looks likely to remain a case of justice half done.” | “There is more than enough evidence here for an investigation to be opened in Russia. This is though, sadly, unlikely to happen. But it definitely won’t if the UK government fails to make the case for it forcefully. Otherwise this looks likely to remain a case of justice half done.” |
| 1.11pm GMT | 1.11pm GMT |
| 13:11 | 13:11 |
| One of Litvinenko’s alleged killers sent a T-shirt bearing the words “nuclear death is knocking on your door” to Britain years after the dissident’s death, PA notes. | One of Litvinenko’s alleged killers sent a T-shirt bearing the words “nuclear death is knocking on your door” to Britain years after the dissident’s death, PA notes. |
| Lugovoi was said to have given the T-shirt to an associate in Moscow and asked for it be delivered as a “gift” to billionaire Boris Berezovsky, a friend of the poisoned spy, in 2010. | Lugovoi was said to have given the T-shirt to an associate in Moscow and asked for it be delivered as a “gift” to billionaire Boris Berezovsky, a friend of the poisoned spy, in 2010. |
| The front of the black T-shirt had the words “POLONIUM-210 CSKA LONDON, HAMBURG To Be Continued”, while “CSKA Moscow Nuclear Death Is Knocking Your Door” was printed on the back. | The front of the black T-shirt had the words “POLONIUM-210 CSKA LONDON, HAMBURG To Be Continued”, while “CSKA Moscow Nuclear Death Is Knocking Your Door” was printed on the back. |
| Sir Robert Owen’s report said the writing was “in extraordinary terms”. | Sir Robert Owen’s report said the writing was “in extraordinary terms”. |
| It said: “Taken on its own (and without, of course, the benefit of oral evidence from Mr Lugovoi), it would be difficult to know what to make of this T-shirt. | It said: “Taken on its own (and without, of course, the benefit of oral evidence from Mr Lugovoi), it would be difficult to know what to make of this T-shirt. |
| “On any view, it demonstrates that Mr Lugovoi approved of Mr Litvinenko’s murder. It was also, clearly, a threat to Mr Berezovsky. | “On any view, it demonstrates that Mr Lugovoi approved of Mr Litvinenko’s murder. It was also, clearly, a threat to Mr Berezovsky. |
| “Further than that, the T-shirt could be seen as an admission by Mr Lugovoi that he had poisoned Mr Litvinenko, made at a time when he was confident that he would never be extradited from Russia, and wished to taunt Mr Berezovsky with that fact. “Alternatively, it could, perhaps, be seen as an extraordinarily tasteless joke.” | “Further than that, the T-shirt could be seen as an admission by Mr Lugovoi that he had poisoned Mr Litvinenko, made at a time when he was confident that he would never be extradited from Russia, and wished to taunt Mr Berezovsky with that fact. “Alternatively, it could, perhaps, be seen as an extraordinarily tasteless joke.” |
| Berezovsky died at his Berkshire home in 2013. | Berezovsky died at his Berkshire home in 2013. |
| 12.57pm GMT | 12.57pm GMT |
| 12:57 | 12:57 |
| Brave man. The BBC’s Daniel Sandford posts a picture of himself drinking tea with Andrei Lugovoi. | Brave man. The BBC’s Daniel Sandford posts a picture of himself drinking tea with Andrei Lugovoi. |
| Another opportunity to post one of my more bizarre pictures - me drinking tea with Litvinenko killer Andrei Lugovoi pic.twitter.com/OKk39JCaBt | Another opportunity to post one of my more bizarre pictures - me drinking tea with Litvinenko killer Andrei Lugovoi pic.twitter.com/OKk39JCaBt |
| The Guardian’s Alec Luhn highlights the murder weapon. | The Guardian’s Alec Luhn highlights the murder weapon. |
| The schematics of the murder weapon in the Litvinenko inquiry: Pot full of radioactive tea https://t.co/IdUtJUWeTh pic.twitter.com/jn7jxUKMnT | The schematics of the murder weapon in the Litvinenko inquiry: Pot full of radioactive tea https://t.co/IdUtJUWeTh pic.twitter.com/jn7jxUKMnT |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.00pm GMT | at 1.00pm GMT |
| 12.54pm GMT | 12.54pm GMT |
| 12:54 | 12:54 |
| Moscow says report aimed 'demonising' Russia | Moscow says report aimed 'demonising' Russia |
| The Russia news site Sputnik has video of Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responding to the report. It quotes her saying that the report was aimed a “demonising Russia and its leadership.” | The Russia news site Sputnik has video of Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responding to the report. It quotes her saying that the report was aimed a “demonising Russia and its leadership.” |
| #Litvinenko inquiry was not in the least transparent, so we bowed out of it - @mfa_russia https://t.co/PAWlaSnXPK pic.twitter.com/78uf8rXIQf | #Litvinenko inquiry was not in the least transparent, so we bowed out of it - @mfa_russia https://t.co/PAWlaSnXPK pic.twitter.com/78uf8rXIQf |
| 12.46pm GMT | 12.46pm GMT |
| 12:46 | 12:46 |
| Crispin Blunt, the Tory chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said working with Russia over Syria was a higher priority than reprisals over Litvinenko’s murder. | Crispin Blunt, the Tory chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said working with Russia over Syria was a higher priority than reprisals over Litvinenko’s murder. |
| Speaking to BBC News he said: “The government has known this was a state-sponsored murder since 2007 ... Unfortunately we have no choice but to deal with the Russians where serious national and common interests are at stake. With hundreds of thousands of people now dead in Syria, bringing that civil war to an end is a clear common interest of both our states.” | Speaking to BBC News he said: “The government has known this was a state-sponsored murder since 2007 ... Unfortunately we have no choice but to deal with the Russians where serious national and common interests are at stake. With hundreds of thousands of people now dead in Syria, bringing that civil war to an end is a clear common interest of both our states.” |
| He added: “The world has to engage with him [Vladimir Putin]. We are dealing with unsavoury partners all over the world. That is part of the necessity of diplomacy.” | He added: “The world has to engage with him [Vladimir Putin]. We are dealing with unsavoury partners all over the world. That is part of the necessity of diplomacy.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.46pm GMT | at 12.46pm GMT |
| 12.38pm GMT | 12.38pm GMT |
| 12:38 | 12:38 |
| Theresa May's statement - Summary | Theresa May's statement - Summary |
| Andrew Sparrow | Andrew Sparrow |
| Here are the main points from Theresa May’s statement. | Here are the main points from Theresa May’s statement. |
| As others have said, in rhetorical terms it was robust. But May’s combative language distracted attention from the lack of substance in what she was announcing. The practical measures she unveiled in retaliation against Russia were minimal. | As others have said, in rhetorical terms it was robust. But May’s combative language distracted attention from the lack of substance in what she was announcing. The practical measures she unveiled in retaliation against Russia were minimal. |
| Here are the main points. | Here are the main points. |
| The Government takes these findings extremely seriously – as I am sure does every member of this House. We are carefully considering the report’s findings in detail, and their implications. In particular, the conclusion that the Russian state was probably involved in the murder of Mr Litvinenko is deeply disturbing. It goes without saying that this was a blatant and unacceptable breach of the most fundamental tenets of international law and of civilised behaviour. But we have to accept this does not come as a surprise. The Inquiry confirms the assessment of successive governments that this was a state sponsored act. This assessment has informed the Government’s approach to date. | The Government takes these findings extremely seriously – as I am sure does every member of this House. We are carefully considering the report’s findings in detail, and their implications. In particular, the conclusion that the Russian state was probably involved in the murder of Mr Litvinenko is deeply disturbing. It goes without saying that this was a blatant and unacceptable breach of the most fundamental tenets of international law and of civilised behaviour. But we have to accept this does not come as a surprise. The Inquiry confirms the assessment of successive governments that this was a state sponsored act. This assessment has informed the Government’s approach to date. |
| In light of the report’s findings the Government will go further, and Treasury Ministers have today agreed to put in place asset freezes against the two individuals. | In light of the report’s findings the Government will go further, and Treasury Ministers have today agreed to put in place asset freezes against the two individuals. |
| We have always made our position clear to the Russian government and in the strongest possible terms and we are doing so again today. We are making senior representations to the Russian Government in Moscow. And at the same time we will be summoning the Russian Ambassador in London to the Foreign Office, where we will express our profound displeasure at Russia’s failure to co-operate and provide satisfactory answers. Specifically, we have, and will continue to demand that the Russian Government account for the role of the FSB in this case. | We have always made our position clear to the Russian government and in the strongest possible terms and we are doing so again today. We are making senior representations to the Russian Government in Moscow. And at the same time we will be summoning the Russian Ambassador in London to the Foreign Office, where we will express our profound displeasure at Russia’s failure to co-operate and provide satisfactory answers. Specifically, we have, and will continue to demand that the Russian Government account for the role of the FSB in this case. |
| This Government is clear that we must protect the UK and her interests from Russia- based threats, working closely with our allies in the EU and NATO. This morning I have written to my counterparts in EU, NATO and 5 Eyes countries drawing their attention to both the report and the need to take steps to prevent such a murder being committed on their streets. | This Government is clear that we must protect the UK and her interests from Russia- based threats, working closely with our allies in the EU and NATO. This morning I have written to my counterparts in EU, NATO and 5 Eyes countries drawing their attention to both the report and the need to take steps to prevent such a murder being committed on their streets. |
| Since 2007 that approach has comprised a series of steps to respond to Russia and its provovation. Some of these measures were immediate, such as the expulsion of a number of Russian embassy officials from the UK. Others are ongoing, such as the tightening of visa restrictions on Russian officials in the UK. The Metropolitan Police Service’s investigation into Mr Litvinenko’s murder remains open. And I can tell the House today Interpol notices and European Arrest Warrants are in place so that the main suspects, Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun, can be arrested if they travel abroad. | Since 2007 that approach has comprised a series of steps to respond to Russia and its provovation. Some of these measures were immediate, such as the expulsion of a number of Russian embassy officials from the UK. Others are ongoing, such as the tightening of visa restrictions on Russian officials in the UK. The Metropolitan Police Service’s investigation into Mr Litvinenko’s murder remains open. And I can tell the House today Interpol notices and European Arrest Warrants are in place so that the main suspects, Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun, can be arrested if they travel abroad. |
| Matthew is taking over the blog again now. | Matthew is taking over the blog again now. |
| 12.30pm GMT | 12.30pm GMT |
| 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Kovtum is keeping schtumm, writes Shaun Walker in Moscow | Kovtum is keeping schtumm, writes Shaun Walker in Moscow |
| As is their usual dynamic, Andrei Lugovoi has been giving plenty of comment to Russian news agencies on the British inquiry, while the man named as his accomplice in the poisoning, Dmitry Kovtun, has been staying quiet. | As is their usual dynamic, Andrei Lugovoi has been giving plenty of comment to Russian news agencies on the British inquiry, while the man named as his accomplice in the poisoning, Dmitry Kovtun, has been staying quiet. |
| Since the murder, Lugovoi has led a public life, as an MP for a nationalist party and outspoken critic of the west, while Kovtun is rarely seen in public. Kovtun told Interfax on Thursday he did not want to comment until he had the chance to read the report thoroughly. | Since the murder, Lugovoi has led a public life, as an MP for a nationalist party and outspoken critic of the west, while Kovtun is rarely seen in public. Kovtun told Interfax on Thursday he did not want to comment until he had the chance to read the report thoroughly. |
| 12.18pm GMT | 12.18pm GMT |
| 12:18 | 12:18 |
| In the Commons Labour’s Clive Efford says holding sports events in Russia is a propaganda coup for Russia. What is the government doing to stop this? | In the Commons Labour’s Clive Efford says holding sports events in Russia is a propaganda coup for Russia. What is the government doing to stop this? |
| May says decisions about sporting events are for other bodies. | May says decisions about sporting events are for other bodies. |
| 12.13pm GMT | 12.13pm GMT |
| 12:13 | 12:13 |
| Marina Litvinenko's lawyer says all Russian spies in London should be expelled | Marina Litvinenko's lawyer says all Russian spies in London should be expelled |
| My colleague Luke Harding has more from Marina Litvinenko’s press conference. | My colleague Luke Harding has more from Marina Litvinenko’s press conference. |
| Ben Emmerson, Marina's lawyer, says it would be "craven" of UK government not to give tough response to act of nuclear terrorism in London | Ben Emmerson, Marina's lawyer, says it would be "craven" of UK government not to give tough response to act of nuclear terrorism in London |
| Emmerson says no prospect of two murderers standing trial in Uk until after "the final fall of Vladimir Putin" | Emmerson says no prospect of two murderers standing trial in Uk until after "the final fall of Vladimir Putin" |
| Emmerson: "It's inconceivable Putin would send them for trial after he sent them to London to commit a murder" | Emmerson: "It's inconceivable Putin would send them for trial after he sent them to London to commit a murder" |
| Emmerson won't say who he wants sanctioned but says it includes "individuals associated" with the murder plus institutions | Emmerson won't say who he wants sanctioned but says it includes "individuals associated" with the murder plus institutions |
| Won't confirm Putin is on list. But it's inconceivable in my view that he isn't | Won't confirm Putin is on list. But it's inconceivable in my view that he isn't |
| Emmerson says he expects expulsions. Says it inconceivable #FSB and other agents based at #Russian embassy in London can be allowed to stay | Emmerson says he expects expulsions. Says it inconceivable #FSB and other agents based at #Russian embassy in London can be allowed to stay |
| Emmerson says it's not clear how many FSB and SVR foreign intelligence agents are based at Rus embassy. But stresses 'all"should be expelled | Emmerson says it's not clear how many FSB and SVR foreign intelligence agents are based at Rus embassy. But stresses 'all"should be expelled |
| Presser over. My take: the ball is now in David Cameron's court. If he doesn't expel Russian diplomats he will look weak on state terrorism | Presser over. My take: the ball is now in David Cameron's court. If he doesn't expel Russian diplomats he will look weak on state terrorism |
| But if he does he can expect nasty and probably asymmetric reaction from the Kremlin and years of Anglo-Russian deep freeze | But if he does he can expect nasty and probably asymmetric reaction from the Kremlin and years of Anglo-Russian deep freeze |
| 12.08pm GMT | 12.08pm GMT |
| 12:08 | 12:08 |
| Labour’s Ian Austin says Putin is “an unreconstructed KGB thug and gangster who murders his opponents” and that “nothing announced today will make the blindest bit of difference”. He calls for a Magnitsky Act. | Labour’s Ian Austin says Putin is “an unreconstructed KGB thug and gangster who murders his opponents” and that “nothing announced today will make the blindest bit of difference”. He calls for a Magnitsky Act. |
| May says the government can already exclude people from the UK if it wants to do so. It does not need a Magnitsky Act, she says. And she repeats the point about the government wanting Lugovoi and Kovtun to come to the UK so they can face justice. | May says the government can already exclude people from the UK if it wants to do so. It does not need a Magnitsky Act, she says. And she repeats the point about the government wanting Lugovoi and Kovtun to come to the UK so they can face justice. |