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Contact in positive polonium test Contact in positive polonium test
(10 minutes later)
Italian Mario Scaramella, a contact of dead ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, has tested positive for polonium-210.Italian Mario Scaramella, a contact of dead ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, has tested positive for polonium-210.
Mr Scaramella is not thought to be suffering physical symptoms but the amount found is "likely to be of concern for [his] immediate health".Mr Scaramella is not thought to be suffering physical symptoms but the amount found is "likely to be of concern for [his] immediate health".
He met Mr Litvinenko at sushi restaurant Itsu in central London on the day he fell ill.He met Mr Litvinenko at sushi restaurant Itsu in central London on the day he fell ill.
Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko, a former KGB agent, has been completed.Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko, a former KGB agent, has been completed.
Those present at the examination at the Royal London Hospital, in east London, wore protective clothing to avoid contamination by traces of the polonium-210 isotope. Results may not be available for several days.Those present at the examination at the Royal London Hospital, in east London, wore protective clothing to avoid contamination by traces of the polonium-210 isotope. Results may not be available for several days.
Mr Scaramella is involved in an Italian parliamentary inquiry into KGB activity and was sufficiently worried by the contents of an e-mail to ask for advice from Mr Litvinenko. Mr Scaramella is involved in an Italian parliamentary inquiry into KGB activity and was sufficiently worried by the contents of an e-mail to ask for advice from Mr Litvinenko. The e-mail said that he, Mr Litvinenko and an Italian senator, Paolo Guzzanti, were possible targets for assassination.
HAVE YOUR SAY I work in the one of the office buildings where polonium-210 has been detected, and we have had no assistance at all from the authorities Gate, London Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY I work in the one of the office buildings where polonium-210 has been detected, and we have had no assistance at all from the authorities Gate, London Send us your experiences
They met at Itsu on 1 November, although in the aftermath the Italian academic suggested he had not eaten anything. Mr Scaramella and Mr Litvinenko met at Itsu on 1 November, although in the aftermath the Italian academic suggested he had not eaten anything.
An HPA spokesman refused to confirm that the positive test related to Mr Scaramella, but said the amount found was "likely to be of concern for their immediate health".An HPA spokesman refused to confirm that the positive test related to Mr Scaramella, but said the amount found was "likely to be of concern for their immediate health".
A statement said: "The agency can confirm it was informed this morning that tests have established that a further person - who was in direct and very close contact with Mr Litvinenko - has a significant quantity of the radioactive isotope Polonium-210 in their body.A statement said: "The agency can confirm it was informed this morning that tests have established that a further person - who was in direct and very close contact with Mr Litvinenko - has a significant quantity of the radioactive isotope Polonium-210 in their body.
"This person is now to be investigated further in hospital.""This person is now to be investigated further in hospital."
Cobra, the government's emergency planning committee, met at 1600 GMT on Friday, with a spokesman saying the Italian government had been informed of the situation regarding Mr Scaramella.Cobra, the government's emergency planning committee, met at 1600 GMT on Friday, with a spokesman saying the Italian government had been informed of the situation regarding Mr Scaramella.
Mr Litvinenko died last week in a London hospitalMr Litvinenko died last week in a London hospital
UKIP MEP Gerard Batten, an acquaintance of Mr Scaramella, said he had seemed fine when they last spoke.UKIP MEP Gerard Batten, an acquaintance of Mr Scaramella, said he had seemed fine when they last spoke.
"The last time I spoke to him, on Sunday I think, his worry about his own contamination had been allayed - he thought he was ok.""The last time I spoke to him, on Sunday I think, his worry about his own contamination had been allayed - he thought he was ok."
Mr Guzzanti has indicated he fears for his life and is contacting Italian authorities to check if he has been poisoned.
The probe into Mr Litvinenko's death has seen two planes tested for radiation and a third is due back from Moscow for checks.The probe into Mr Litvinenko's death has seen two planes tested for radiation and a third is due back from Moscow for checks.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Olympics chief Lord Coe travelled on one of the aircraft already tested.Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Olympics chief Lord Coe travelled on one of the aircraft already tested.
Russia said it would co-operate fully with the inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.Russia said it would co-operate fully with the inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.
EXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates tracesEXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates traces
Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB officer and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning attributed to polonium-210.Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB officer and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning attributed to polonium-210.
The investigation into the spy's death has unearthed traces of radiation at 12 locations, including the two planes.The investigation into the spy's death has unearthed traces of radiation at 12 locations, including the two planes.
British Airways is contacting 33,000 passengers from 221 flights, but the airline and the government have stressed any risk to public health low.British Airways is contacting 33,000 passengers from 221 flights, but the airline and the government have stressed any risk to public health low.
A total of 217 people have been seen by a specialist assessment clinic.A total of 217 people have been seen by a specialist assessment clinic.
Yegor Gaidar became violently ill with a mystery illness Ex-PM has mystery illnessYegor Gaidar became violently ill with a mystery illness Ex-PM has mystery illness
On Friday the British Embassy in Moscow said there was no information to suspect any link between Mr Litvinenko's death and former prime minister of Russia Yegor Gaidar, who was taken ill in the Republic of Ireland.On Friday the British Embassy in Moscow said there was no information to suspect any link between Mr Litvinenko's death and former prime minister of Russia Yegor Gaidar, who was taken ill in the Republic of Ireland.
But RTE news reported that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is checking the National University of Ireland Maynooth, County Kildare, and the James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin for the presence of polonium.But RTE news reported that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is checking the National University of Ireland Maynooth, County Kildare, and the James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin for the presence of polonium.
Meanwhile, the FBI said it had been asked to join the British investigation into Mr Litvinenko's death..Meanwhile, the FBI said it had been asked to join the British investigation into Mr Litvinenko's death..
Friends of Mr Litvinenko say Russian intelligence agents plotted to kill the former spy.Friends of Mr Litvinenko say Russian intelligence agents plotted to kill the former spy.
  • British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or +44 191 211 3690 for international calls.
  • British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or +44 191 211 3690 for international calls.
  • Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
  • Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.