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| Trio in clinic after spy's death | Trio in clinic after spy's death |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Three people have been sent to a special clinic for radiological tests following the death of the Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko. | Three people have been sent to a special clinic for radiological tests following the death of the Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko. |
| The 43-year-old's death last week has been linked to the discovery of radioactive polonium-210 in his body. | The 43-year-old's death last week has been linked to the discovery of radioactive polonium-210 in his body. |
| Traces were found at a London hotel and a sushi bar he visited and the three - all linked to the venues - are being referred as a precautionary measure. | Traces were found at a London hotel and a sushi bar he visited and the three - all linked to the venues - are being referred as a precautionary measure. |
| An inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death will be held on Thursday. | An inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death will be held on Thursday. |
| The hearing will be opened then adjourned 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. |
| 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 | 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 |
| The Health Protection Agency said more than 450 people had called a government hotline, with 18 passed on for follow-up. | The Health Protection Agency said more than 450 people had called a government hotline, with 18 passed on for follow-up. |
| Three were referred to a special clinic for radiological assessment because they had symptoms which may indicate radiation poisoning. Results are expected later in the week. | Three were referred to a special clinic for radiological assessment because they had symptoms which may indicate radiation poisoning. Results are expected later in the week. |
| Emergency talks have been held by ministers to assess the public risk and Home Secretary John Reid is due to make a statement to the Commons. | Emergency talks have been held by ministers to assess the public risk and Home Secretary John Reid is due to make a statement to the Commons. |
| He told BBC News: "This is a precautionary measure, it's reassurance, and we're trying to do this in as open a fashion but as organised and calm a fashion as possible." | He told BBC News: "This is a precautionary measure, it's reassurance, and we're trying to do this in as open a fashion but as organised and calm a fashion as possible." |
| Mr Reid earlier chaired Tuesday's meeting of the special emergency "Cobra" committee, which brings together ministers, officials and experts. | |
| The restaurant is being decontaminated | The restaurant is being decontaminated |
| The committee has met several times since the death of Mr Litvinenko, 43, who became a British citizen after coming to live in the UK. | The committee has met several times since the death of Mr Litvinenko, 43, who 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 Russia President Vladimir Putin. |
| And on Sunday Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said "murky murders" cast a shadow over 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 poisoning 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 this case required caution. | 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 this case required caution. |
| 'Premature' | 'Premature' |
| "There is a police investigation ongoing and we have to await the outcome of that investigation," he said. | "There is a police investigation ongoing and we have to await the outcome of that investigation," he said. |
| 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 comments | 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 comments |
| "Therefore, I think it is premature to be drawing any conclusions at this stage." | "Therefore, I think it is premature to be drawing any conclusions at this stage." |
| 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 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. | 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. | 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. |