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Alexander Litvinenko's widow threatens to boycott inquest Alexander Litvinenko's widow threatens to boycott inquest
(4 months later)
The widow of poisoned spy Alexander Litvinenko could boycott his inquest if the government refuses to set up a public inquiry to explore allegations of Russian state collusion in his death, her lawyer has said.The widow of poisoned spy Alexander Litvinenko could boycott his inquest if the government refuses to set up a public inquiry to explore allegations of Russian state collusion in his death, her lawyer has said.
Coroner Sir Robert Owen has asked the government to hold an inquiry after he previously ruled he could not hear evidence in public of alleged involvement of the country's authorities in the death of the 43-year-old in 2006.Coroner Sir Robert Owen has asked the government to hold an inquiry after he previously ruled he could not hear evidence in public of alleged involvement of the country's authorities in the death of the 43-year-old in 2006.
A pre-inquest hearing heard that Marina Litvinenko would be unable to play a role in the proceedings if the government refused the coroner's request, which would allow the disputed evidence to be heard behind closed doors.A pre-inquest hearing heard that Marina Litvinenko would be unable to play a role in the proceedings if the government refused the coroner's request, which would allow the disputed evidence to be heard behind closed doors.
Her barrister, Ben Emmerson QC, accused the government of trying to "get her to abandon her attempt to get at the truth" and called for the inquest process to be halted until the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, announces his decision.Her barrister, Ben Emmerson QC, accused the government of trying to "get her to abandon her attempt to get at the truth" and called for the inquest process to be halted until the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, announces his decision.
"We are at a loss to see a good-faith reason to prevent a hearing which could get at the truth from going ahead," Emmerson said."We are at a loss to see a good-faith reason to prevent a hearing which could get at the truth from going ahead," Emmerson said.
"The inquest should now stand adjourned. There should be a full stop at the inquest until the matter is resolved.""The inquest should now stand adjourned. There should be a full stop at the inquest until the matter is resolved."
He added that Mrs Litvinenko "will consider herself unable to continue in the inquest process as an interested party" if Grayling refused to allow the inquiry.He added that Mrs Litvinenko "will consider herself unable to continue in the inquest process as an interested party" if Grayling refused to allow the inquiry.
Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 while drinking tea at the Millennium hotel in London's Grosvenor Square in 2006.Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 while drinking tea at the Millennium hotel in London's Grosvenor Square in 2006.
Last week the coroner announced he had written to the government to request a public inquiry in place of an inquest.Last week the coroner announced he had written to the government to request a public inquiry in place of an inquest.
He had previously ruled he could not hear evidence linked to the alleged involvement of the Russian government in public and could therefore not conduct a full and thorough investigation into the death.He had previously ruled he could not hear evidence linked to the alleged involvement of the Russian government in public and could therefore not conduct a full and thorough investigation into the death.
The pre-inquest hearing at the high court on Tuesday also heard that a Foreign Office minister made an "improper approach" to Mrs Litvinenko while David Cameron was having talks with Vladimir Putin last month.The pre-inquest hearing at the high court on Tuesday also heard that a Foreign Office minister made an "improper approach" to Mrs Litvinenko while David Cameron was having talks with Vladimir Putin last month.
An aide of David Lidington called Mrs Litvinenko to organise a telephone chat between them while the prime minister met the Russian leader in Sochi last month, Emmerson said.An aide of David Lidington called Mrs Litvinenko to organise a telephone chat between them while the prime minister met the Russian leader in Sochi last month, Emmerson said.
Although the hearing was told the conversation did not eventually take place, Owen, the assistant deputy coroner for inner north London, said he was "astonished" to learn it was attempted without going through legal channels.Although the hearing was told the conversation did not eventually take place, Owen, the assistant deputy coroner for inner north London, said he was "astonished" to learn it was attempted without going through legal channels.
Emmerson described it as "quite improper" for a minister from a department involved in the inquest to contact her without the knowledge of her legal team, and said it was part of a "pattern of behaviour in the case".Emmerson described it as "quite improper" for a minister from a department involved in the inquest to contact her without the knowledge of her legal team, and said it was part of a "pattern of behaviour in the case".
"It is a matter of great concern that this type of approach is taking place," he said."It is a matter of great concern that this type of approach is taking place," he said.
Neil Garnham QC, representing various government departments at the hearing, said the plan for a call to Mrs Litvinenko had simply been a "common courtesy" to tell her the Black Sea talks between the two leaders had gone ahead before she read about it in the press.Neil Garnham QC, representing various government departments at the hearing, said the plan for a call to Mrs Litvinenko had simply been a "common courtesy" to tell her the Black Sea talks between the two leaders had gone ahead before she read about it in the press.
"It was thought it was a more courteous way of dealing with what was going to come as a surprise to her than the alternative.""It was thought it was a more courteous way of dealing with what was going to come as a surprise to her than the alternative."
He added that a decision on a public inquiry would be made "as quickly as possible" by the Home Office.He added that a decision on a public inquiry would be made "as quickly as possible" by the Home Office.
The hearing was adjourned to a date to be fixed.The hearing was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
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