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Trio in clinic after spy's death Trio in clinic after spy's death
(about 2 hours later)
Three people have been sent to a specialist clinic for radiological tests following the death of Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko. Traces of radiation have been found at two more addresses following the death of Alexander Litvinenko, police say.
The three had contact with either the London hotel or the sushi bar which he visited on November 1 and have been referred as a precautionary measure. The traces of polonium-210 were found at a building in Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, and an office block in Down Street, west London, they said.
Traces of radiation have been found at two more London addresses - a West End office block and a building in Mayfair. Traces had already been found at a London hotel and a sushi bar the Russian ex-spy visited on 1 November.
Home Secretary John Reid told MPs that Russia had been asked to co-operate. Three people who have either been to the venues or had contact with him are to undergo radiological tests.
In an emergency statement in the Commons, Mr Reid said the Russian ambassador was called to the Foreign Office. The death of the 43-year-old former KGB colonel last Thursday has been linked to the discovery of polonium-210 in his body.
Emergency statement
Home Secretary John Reid told MPs that Russia had been asked to co-operate in the inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.
In an emergency statement in the Commons on Monday, Mr Reid said the Russian ambassador had been called to the Foreign Office at the end of last week.
"He was asked to convey to the Russian authorities our expectation that they should be ready to offer all necessary co-operation to the investigation as it proceeds," said Mr Reid."He was asked to convey to the Russian authorities our expectation that they should be ready to offer all necessary co-operation to the investigation as it proceeds," said Mr Reid.
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 full Reid statement 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 Reid statement in full
Earlier the minister chaired Tuesday's meeting of the special emergency "Cobra" committee, which brings together ministers, officials and experts, to assess the risk. Mr Reid also chaired Monday's meeting of the special emergency "Cobra" committee, which brings together ministers, officials and experts, to assess the risk to the public.
The 43-year-old former KGB colonel's death last week has been linked to the discovery of radioactive polonium-210 in his body. It is not yet clear whether the two latest discoveries of radiation in London relate to its possible origin or the movements of Mr Litvinenko.
BBC home affairs correspondent Andy Tighe said it was not clear whether either of the two latest discoveries of radiation in London was a possible origin or linked to the movements of Mr Litvinenko. The Health Protection Agency said more than 450 people had called a government hotline for advice and 18 had been followed up.
The Health Protection Agency said more than 450 people had called a government hotline for advice and 18 were followed up. Three have been referred to a specialist clinic as a precautionary measure because they had symptoms which may indicate radiation poisoning.
Three were referred to a special clinic because they had symptoms which may indicate radiation poisoning. It is thought they contacted the NHS helpline and answered detailed questions about their condition before being referred for a face-to-face consultation and possible urine test.
It is thought they contacted the NHS helpline and answered detailed questions about their condition before referred for the face-to-face consultation and possibly a urine test. Results are expected later in the week. Results are expected later in the week.
Putin denial Kremlin denial
An inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death will be held on Thursday. An inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death will be opened and adjourned on Thursday at St Pancras Coroner's Court, said a Camden Council spokesman.
The hearing will be opened then adjourned at St Pancras Coroner's Court, said a Camden Council spokesman.
The restaurant is being decontaminated
Mr Litvinenko, 43, became a British citizen after coming to live in the UK.Mr Litvinenko, 43, became a British citizen after coming to live in the UK.
Friends have suggested Russian top-level involvement in his death because Mr Litvinenko was a critic of Russia President Vladimir Putin. Friends have suggested Russian top-level involvement in his death because Mr Litvinenko was a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
And on Sunday Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said "murky murders" cast a shadow over Putin's achievements. And on Sunday Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said "murky murders" had cast a shadow over Mr Putin's achievements.
But the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed allegations of involvement in the poisoning as "sheer nonsense". But the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed allegations of involvement in the death as "sheer nonsense".
Asked about Mr Hain's comments, the prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair had made clear his concerns about some aspects of human rights in Russia but it would be premature to draw conclusions in this case. Asked about Mr Hain's comments, Tony Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister had made clear his concerns about some aspects of human rights in Russia but it would be premature to draw conclusions in this case.
'Premature' Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of prominent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of the Putin government, before he fell ill.
HAVE YOUR SAY Why did it take so long to establish that Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with a radioactive substance? Amanda, London href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4802&edition=2&ttl=20061121125012" class="">Send us your comments On the day he was taken ill, he had had meetings at the Itsu restaurant in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel's Pine Bar - traces of radiation have since been found at both venues.
Mr Blair had not spoken to Mr Putin about the death but Foreign Office officials had met the Russian ambassador to ask for co-operation with the inquiry.
Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of a prominent Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, before he fell fatally ill.
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 1 November. Decontamination work has begun.