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Radiation tests after spy death Radiation tests after spy death
(10 minutes later)
Tests are set to be carried out on members of the public who may have come into contact with Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.Tests are set to be carried out on members of the public who may have come into contact with Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.
His death has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body.His death has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body.
Radioactive traces were found at a hotel and sushi bar he visited on 1 November. Tests are on offer for those who may have been in contact with him. Radioactive traces were found at a London hotel and sushi bar he visited on 1 November. Tests are for those who may have been in contact with him.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the risk to customers was low.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the risk to customers was low.
Anyone who was in the Itsu restaurant, or who was in the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel on 1 November has been urged to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.Anyone who was in the Itsu restaurant, or who was in the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel on 1 November has been urged to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
An HPA spokeswoman said: "We expect that we are going to do tests and we expect that they are going to be negative and we have no reason to think customers are at risk."An HPA spokeswoman said: "We expect that we are going to do tests and we expect that they are going to be negative and we have no reason to think customers are at risk."
No post-mortem examination yet on Mr LitvinenkoNo post-mortem examination yet on Mr Litvinenko
Meanwhile, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has issued advice to GPs and hospitals on the risks and clinical implications of exposure to Polonium-210.Meanwhile, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has issued advice to GPs and hospitals on the risks and clinical implications of exposure to Polonium-210.
The government's civil contingencies, Cobra, has met to discuss the case.The government's civil contingencies, Cobra, has met to discuss the case.
BBC home affairs correspondent Andy Tighe said various sites are being regarded as crime scenes.BBC home affairs correspondent Andy Tighe said various sites are being regarded as crime scenes.
Officers are also interviewing witnesses in an attempt to find out who Mr Litvinenko met around the time he fell ill.Officers are also interviewing witnesses in an attempt to find out who Mr Litvinenko met around the time he fell ill.
Tests are also being carried out at the two London hospitals where Mr Litvinenko had been treated, University College and the Barnet General, the Health Protection Agency said.Tests are also being carried out at the two London hospitals where Mr Litvinenko had been treated, University College and the Barnet General, the Health Protection Agency said.
A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not yet been held.A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not yet been held.
The delay is believed to be over concerns about the health implications for those present at the examination.The delay is believed to be over concerns about the health implications for those present at the examination.
Officers are examining material taken various scenesOfficers are examining material taken various scenes
Medical experts had previously expressed differing opinions over substances that could have possibly led to his death.Medical experts had previously expressed differing opinions over substances that could have possibly led to his death.
Initial reports that he was given the heavy metal thallium gave way to other theories including radiation poisoning.Initial reports that he was given the heavy metal thallium gave way to other theories including radiation poisoning.
Friends have said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticism of Russia.Friends have said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticism of Russia.
Police searches are taking place at Mr Litvinenko's house in north London, where radioactive traces were discovered, and other places he had been.Police searches are taking place at Mr Litvinenko's house in north London, where radioactive traces were discovered, and other places he had been.
LITVINENKO TIMELINE 1 Nov - Alexander Litvinenko meets two Russian men at a London hotel and then meets Italian academic Mario Scaramella at a sushi bar in Piccadilly. Hours later he falls ill and is admitted to Barnet General Hospital17 Nov - Mr Litvinenko is transferred to UCH19 Nov - Reports say Mr Litvinenko is poisoned with thallium21 Nov - A toxicologist says he may have been poisoned with "radioactive thallium"22 Nov - Mr Litvinenko's condition deteriorates overnight. Thallium and radiation ruled out 23 Nov - The ex-spy dies in intensive care Litvinenko statement in full Reaction: Russian's death Timeline of case in fullLITVINENKO TIMELINE 1 Nov - Alexander Litvinenko meets two Russian men at a London hotel and then meets Italian academic Mario Scaramella at a sushi bar in Piccadilly. Hours later he falls ill and is admitted to Barnet General Hospital17 Nov - Mr Litvinenko is transferred to UCH19 Nov - Reports say Mr Litvinenko is poisoned with thallium21 Nov - A toxicologist says he may have been poisoned with "radioactive thallium"22 Nov - Mr Litvinenko's condition deteriorates overnight. Thallium and radiation ruled out 23 Nov - The ex-spy dies in intensive care Litvinenko statement in full Reaction: Russian's death Timeline of case in full
In a statement dictated before he died at University College Hospital on Thursday, the 43-year-old accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death.In a statement dictated before he died at University College Hospital on Thursday, the 43-year-old accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death.
Mr Litvinenko had recently been investigating the murder of his friend, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government.Mr Litvinenko had recently been investigating the murder of his friend, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government.
Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the Kremlin's earlier dismissal of allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense".Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the Kremlin's earlier dismissal of allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense".
Mr Putin himself has said Mr Litvinenko's death was a tragedy, but he saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death".Mr Putin himself has said Mr Litvinenko's death was a tragedy, but he saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death".
Police have been examining two meetings Mr Litvinenko had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella, at a sushi restaurant in London's West End.Police have been examining two meetings Mr Litvinenko had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella, at a sushi restaurant in London's West End.
Mr Litvinenko, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2000 after complaining of persecution in Russia, fell ill later that day.Mr Litvinenko, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2000 after complaining of persecution in Russia, fell ill later that day.