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Police probe ex-spy poison fears | Police probe ex-spy poison fears |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Police have said they are investigating an alleged attempt to kill a former Russian spy who defected to the UK. | Police have said they are investigating an alleged attempt to kill a former Russian spy who defected to the UK. |
Surrey Police confirmed they were probing claims that Oleg Gordievsky was poisoned in November. | Surrey Police confirmed they were probing claims that Oleg Gordievsky was poisoned in November. |
Mr Gordievsky told the Mail on Sunday he believed he was the target of an assassination attempt. | Mr Gordievsky told the Mail on Sunday he believed he was the target of an assassination attempt. |
Mr Gordievsky, 69, a one-time KGB colonel who became the highest ranking Soviet spy to defect to the West, was honoured by the Queen last year. | Mr Gordievsky, 69, a one-time KGB colonel who became the highest ranking Soviet spy to defect to the West, was honoured by the Queen last year. |
In October, he was recognised for services to UK security and was made a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George. | In October, he was recognised for services to UK security and was made a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George. |
In November, Mr Gordievsky was taken by ambulance from his Surrey home to a Guildford hospital after falling ill. | |
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said officers had been called to an address in November "following concerns for the safety of a man". | A Surrey Police spokeswoman said officers had been called to an address in November "following concerns for the safety of a man". |
I've known for some time that I am on the assassination list drawn up by rogue elements in Moscow Oleg Gordievsky | I've known for some time that I am on the assassination list drawn up by rogue elements in Moscow Oleg Gordievsky |
She went on: "The man, who was 69 at the time, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Surrey County Hospital for treatment. | She went on: "The man, who was 69 at the time, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Surrey County Hospital for treatment. |
"Surrey Police is continuing to investigate allegations made by this man and it would not be appropriate to comment further until our investigation is complete." | "Surrey Police is continuing to investigate allegations made by this man and it would not be appropriate to comment further until our investigation is complete." |
Mr Gordievsky's claims come in the wake of the murder of former security agent Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, and heightened diplomatic tensions between Russia and the UK. | Mr Gordievsky's claims come in the wake of the murder of former security agent Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, and heightened diplomatic tensions between Russia and the UK. |
The former spy said he was certain he was the victim of a similar assassination attempt to that which claimed Mr Litvinenko's life. | The former spy said he was certain he was the victim of a similar assassination attempt to that which claimed Mr Litvinenko's life. |
Escape to UK | Escape to UK |
Mr Gordievsky told the paper: "I've known for some time that I am on the assassination list drawn up by rogue elements in Moscow. | Mr Gordievsky told the paper: "I've known for some time that I am on the assassination list drawn up by rogue elements in Moscow. |
"It was obvious to me I had been poisoned." | "It was obvious to me I had been poisoned." |
He also accused MI6 of attempting to cover up the alleged crime. | He also accused MI6 of attempting to cover up the alleged crime. |
The former spy explained that, after falling unconscious for 34 hours, he spent two weeks in a private clinic and was initially left partially paralysed. | The former spy explained that, after falling unconscious for 34 hours, he spent two weeks in a private clinic and was initially left partially paralysed. |
Mr Gordievsky, who escaped to the UK in 1985, said he still has no feeling in his fingers as a result of what he believes was poison. | Mr Gordievsky, who escaped to the UK in 1985, said he still has no feeling in his fingers as a result of what he believes was poison. |
Disillusioned with the political situation in his homeland, he operated as a double agent during the Cold War. | Disillusioned with the political situation in his homeland, he operated as a double agent during the Cold War. |
He first began to leak information to the West while working in Copenhagen in 1974. | He first began to leak information to the West while working in Copenhagen in 1974. |
The former spy, who has two daughters, was MI5's greatest asset between 1982 and 1985, when his cover was blown. | The former spy, who has two daughters, was MI5's greatest asset between 1982 and 1985, when his cover was blown. |
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