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Inquest due into ex-spy's death Emergency talks on ex-spy's death
(30 minutes later)
An inquest is due to be opened this week into the death of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, which has been linked to radioactive poisoning. Emergency talks are being held by ministers into the latest developments surrounding the death of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
A post-mortem examination has been delayed while an assessment is made of any special precautions necessary. The former agent's death is linked to radioactive polonium-210 found in his body. An inquest will open on Thursday. Home Secretary John Reid is to chair a committee meeting on Monday to examine the public risk after traces of radiation were found in London.
Russia's ambassador in London has been asked to provide any information which could help the UK police investigation. Conservatives are calling for a Commons statement on the death.
The Northern Ireland Secretary said "murky murders" cast a shadow over Russian President Putin's achievements. But BBC political correspondent Sean Curran said that was unlikely, given the continuing police investigation and the tense diplomatic relations between the UK and Russia in recent years.
HPA ADVICE Anyone at Itsu or the Pine Bar on 1 November should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647They will be asked a series of questions and may then be asked to take a urine test Timeline of case in fullHPA ADVICE Anyone at Itsu or the Pine Bar on 1 November should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647They will be asked a series of questions and may then be asked to take a urine test Timeline of case in full
Peter Hain said Mr Putin's success "must be balanced against the fact that there have been huge attacks on individual liberty and on democracy and it's important that he retakes the democratic view". On Sunday Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said "murky murders" cast a shadow over Russian President Putin's achievements.
Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of a prominent Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, before he fell fatally ill. Mr Litvinenko was a critic of Russia President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense".
The former agent's death on 23 November has been linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body. The 'Cobra committee' meeting will bring together ministers, officials and experts to discuss matters of urgency.
Radioactive traces were found at the Itsu restaurant in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel's Pine Bar, both visited by the Russian ex-spy, and decontamination work has begun. Mr Reid chaired a meeting soon after the death of Mr Litvinenko, 43, who became a British citizen after coming to live in the UK.
Public concern Home Office Minister Tony McNulty led the discussions over the weekend.
Results are expected later this week for tests carried out on people who may have come into contact with Mr Litvinenko.
Hundreds of people called the NHS Direct hotline following Mr Litvinenko's death and a number were asked to submit urine samples for analysis, some of which have now been received.
HAVE YOUR SAY Why did it take so long to establish that Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with a radioactive substance? Amanda, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Why did it take so long to establish that Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with a radioactive substance? Amanda, London Send us your comments
The Health Protection Agency has urged anyone else who visited the same London hotel or sushi bar on 1 November, when he met his contacts, to get in touch. A post-mortem examination has been delayed while an assessment is made of any special precautions necessary.
But it added the risk to the public of exposure was low. Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of a prominent Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, before he fell fatally ill.
The death is being treated by police as "suspicious" and friends have said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticism of Russia. Radioactive traces were found at the Itsu restaurant in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel's Pine Bar, both visited by the Russian ex-spy on November 1. Decontamination work has begun.
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. He was known to be a fierce critic of him. Results are expected later this week for tests carried out by the Health Protection Agency on urine samples submitted by people who were at those venues on that day.
Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated the Kremlin's earlier dismissal of allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense". Hundreds of people called the NHS Direct hotline for advice, but the agency said risk to the public of exposure was low.
The president himself has said Mr Litvinenko's death was a tragedy, but he saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death". Camden Council said the inquest will be on Thursday at St Pancras Coroner's Court in north London.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are to call for a Commons statement on Mr Litvinenko's death.
Shadow home secretary David Davis intends to raise the matter when MPs return to Westminster on Monday.