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| Putin 'probably' responsible for ordering death of Alexander Litvinenko – live | Putin 'probably' responsible for ordering death of Alexander Litvinenko – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.32am GMT | |
| 10:32 | |
| The report is is unlikely to have a significant impact on bilateral relations or on UK policy towards Russia, according to Alex Nice, analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. | |
| A few years ago, during the period of the US “reset” when much of the West was trying to rebuild relations with Russia, the findings of the inquiry could have put the UK government in an awkward position. Indeed, this may be why the inquiry was delayed for so many years. But relations are now so bad that it is difficult to see how this will have a major impact. Once the UK had imposed sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, the diplomatic risks of publicly accusing the Kremlin of murder were much reduced. Having said that, the argument that the UK should try to “re-engage” with Russia will inevitably return at some point. When that happens, the Litvenenko findings will strengthen the case of the sceptics. | |
| 10.29am GMT | |
| 10:29 | |
| The report says the operation to kill Litvinenko was probably approved by Nikolai Patrushev and President Putin. | |
| Shaun Walker has more on Patrushev. | |
| Nikolai Patrushev is one of the key figures in Putin’s system; he is one of many close to the Russian president who came through the ranks of the KGB in Leningrad, like Putin himself. | |
| Patrushev succeeded Putin as head of the FSB when Putin left in 1999 to become prime minister, and held the post for nearly a decade. In 2008, he was replaced and became head of Russia’s security council. He rarely makes public appearances but is known for hawkish statements on Nato and the west. He remains one of the few people with close, frequent access to Putin. | |
| We published this interview with him last year. | |
| Marina Litvinenko said travel bans and asset freezes should be imposed on Patrushev as well as Putin. | |
| 10.22am GMT | |
| 10:22 | |
| The end of Marina Litvinenko’s oral statement was difficult to make out. The text reveals that it said: “It is unthinkable that the Prime Minister would do nothing in the face of the damning findings of Sir Robert Owen”. | |
| Marina litvinenko wants all Russian spies thrown out of the UK and travel bans. She's not giving up pic.twitter.com/u268ZTmrLY | |
| 10.16am GMT | |
| 10:16 | |
| Lugovoi dismisses report as 'absurd' | |
| Shaun Walker | |
| Andrei Lugovoi is reported to have dismissed the report as “absurd”. | |
| Owen’s report said: “I am sure that Mr Lugovoi and Mr Kovtun placed the polonium 210 in the teapot at the Pine Bar on 1 November 2006”. | |
| It added that it was “probable” Lugovoi poisoned Litvinenko under direction from the FSB, with Dmitry Kovtun “also acting under FSB direction”. | |
| Lugovoi, who is now an MP with a nationalist political party, said: “The allegations against me are absurd,” writes Shaun Walker. | |
| He added: “As we expected, there was no sensation. The results released to today just show London’s anti-Russian position once again; the narrow-mindedness and lack of desire among the British to find the real reason for the death of Litvinenko.” | |
| “The 2014 events in Ukraine, which coincided with the resumption of the investigation into the Litvinenko case even though previously it had been declared secret, look like a pathetic attempt by London to use a ‘skeleton in the cupboard’ to support their political ambitions. I hope this ‘polonium process’ will once and for all dispel the myth about the impartiality of British justice.” | |
| 10.07am GMT | |
| 10:07 | |
| The Liberal Democrat party has backed Marina Litvinenko’s call for travel bans and the freezing of assets for those involved in the death. | |
| Leader Tim Farron said: “A UK citizen was killed on the streets of London with polonium. It was an attack on the heart of Britain, our values and our society. | |
| “I call for EU travel bans, asset freezes and coordinated action to deal with those who committed this evil assassination. I have called for a new Magnitsky Law to make sure that these people are held to account for what they did. | |
| “These assassins trampled over British sovereignty and we cannot let this go unanswered.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 10.17am GMT | |
| 10.03am GMT | |
| 10:03 | |
| Russia rejects inquiry | |
| Russia has rejected the inquiry, writes Shaun Walker. | |
| The first reaction from Moscow came from an unnamed source speaking to the state-owned news agency RIA: “Moscow will not accept the verdict of the British court in the Litvinenko case, London has violated the principle of presumption of innocence”. | |
| The source also said what a number of officials have said in recent days, that Moscow finds it “illegitimate” that parts of the trial were kept secret, and predicts “serious consequences” for relations between London and Moscow. | |
| 10.01am GMT | |
| 10:01 | |
| Here’s audio of Marina Litvinenko’s statement outside the High Court. | |
| 9.56am GMT | 9.56am GMT |
| 09:56 | 09:56 |
| Marina Litvinenko welcomes report | Marina Litvinenko welcomes report |
| More from Litvinenko’s widow. | More from Litvinenko’s widow. |
| Speaking outside the High Court Marina Litvinenko said she was “very pleased that the words my husband spoke on his deathbed when he accused Mr Putin have been proved by an English court.” | Speaking outside the High Court Marina Litvinenko said she was “very pleased that the words my husband spoke on his deathbed when he accused Mr Putin have been proved by an English court.” |
| She added: “I’m also calling for the imposing of targeted economic sanctions and travel bans against named individuals ... including Mr Putin. I received a letter last night from the home secretary promising action. It is unthinkable that the Prime Minister would do nothing in the face of the damning findings of Sir Robert Owen”. | |
| Updated | |
| at 10.19am GMT | |
| 9.50am GMT | 9.50am GMT |
| 09:50 | 09:50 |
| Owen’s goes further than expected in raising Putin’s probable involvement, according to Luke Harding. | Owen’s goes further than expected in raising Putin’s probable involvement, according to Luke Harding. |
| My take: Owen's report much stronger than we expected. His conclusion – that President Putin “probably approved” Litvinenko – based on... | My take: Owen's report much stronger than we expected. His conclusion – that President Putin “probably approved” Litvinenko – based on... |
| ... secret evidence from British government agencies, including Litvinenko's old employer MI6 | ... secret evidence from British government agencies, including Litvinenko's old employer MI6 |
| 9.47am GMT | 9.47am GMT |
| 09:47 | 09:47 |
| Journalist Oliver Bullough tweets an image of a key paragraph from the report on Putin’s probable involvement. | Journalist Oliver Bullough tweets an image of a key paragraph from the report on Putin’s probable involvement. |
| #Litvinenko: the paragraph that blames Putin pic.twitter.com/tI5fqofSkb | #Litvinenko: the paragraph that blames Putin pic.twitter.com/tI5fqofSkb |
| 9.43am GMT | 9.43am GMT |
| 09:43 | 09:43 |
| Owen concluded that Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGG agent and now a Russia MP, “probably” poisoned Litvinenko. | Owen concluded that Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGG agent and now a Russia MP, “probably” poisoned Litvinenko. |
| Owen says “it's probable” Lugovoi poisoned Litvinenko under direction from the FSB, with Kovtun “also acting under FSB direction” | Owen says “it's probable” Lugovoi poisoned Litvinenko under direction from the FSB, with Kovtun “also acting under FSB direction” |
| 9.41am GMT | 9.41am GMT |
| 09:41 | 09:41 |
| Marina Litvinenko welcomes the report’s “damning finding” and calls for the UK to impose sanctions on Russia. She also called on the UK to expel Russian diplomats, but had been given indications that the UK would do nothing. | Marina Litvinenko welcomes the report’s “damning finding” and calls for the UK to impose sanctions on Russia. She also called on the UK to expel Russian diplomats, but had been given indications that the UK would do nothing. |
| 9.38am GMT | 9.38am GMT |
| 09:38 | 09:38 |
| Report finds Russia ordered the murder | Report finds Russia ordered the murder |
| The report has been published and concludes that Russia ordered the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in Britain and that President Putin probably gave his personal approval. | The report has been published and concludes that Russia ordered the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in Britain and that President Putin probably gave his personal approval. |
| Russian state guilty of Alexander #Litvinenko's murder in operation "probably approved" by Vladimir #Putin and #FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev | Russian state guilty of Alexander #Litvinenko's murder in operation "probably approved" by Vladimir #Putin and #FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev |
| Inquiry judge Sir Robert Owen finds that Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi murdered Litvinenko “acting on behalf of others” | Inquiry judge Sir Robert Owen finds that Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi murdered Litvinenko “acting on behalf of others” |
| 9.08am GMT | 9.08am GMT |
| 09:08 | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 | 2 Statements confirmed at 11.30: 1. Litvinenko Inquiry - May; 2. Infected Blood: reform of financial and other support @JaneEllison |
| 9.01am GMT | 9.01am GMT |
| 09:01 | 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. | 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 | 8.52am GMT |
| 08:52 | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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. | Goldfarb also called for UK sanctions to be imposed on Russia. He said Russia’s “atomic enterprises” should be particularly targeted. |
| He dismissed former Russian ambassador Tony Brenton’s suggestion that diplomatic pressures meant Britain could not take tough action against Russia. | He dismissed former Russian ambassador Tony Brenton’s suggestion that diplomatic pressures meant Britain could not take tough action against Russia. |
| “Appeasing this kind of regime only invites more and more aggression,” he said | “Appeasing this kind of regime only invites more and more aggression,” he said |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.29am GMT | at 9.29am GMT |
| 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: |