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Poisoned: Alexander Litvinenko Spy 'Poisoned By Radiation'
Updated: 20:36, Friday November 24, 2006
A large quantity of radiation, probably from a substance called Polonium 210, has been found in the body of dead ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The "major dose" of alpha radiation was detected in his urine, said Government experts, who added that Polonium 210 is only dangerous if ingested.
They also revealed that police have found radiation at three locations: his Muswell Hill home, a central London sushi bar where he ate shortly before falling ill, and a hotel where he had met two Russians that morning.
Russian's home searched
Dr Pat Troop, head of the Health Protection Agency, said the death was an "unprecedented event in the UK" and he had "apparently been poisoned by a type of radiation".
The development came as Home Secretary John Reid revealed the police were searching for residual radioactive material at a number of locations.
Police in the UK are trying to find out who and what killed the 43-year-old former security agent.
Before he died in a London hospital on Thursday night, Mr Litvinenko wrote a statement on Tuesday blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering his murder.
The distraught father
He accused the leader of having "no respect for life, liberty or any civilised value".
He told Mr Putin: "You have shown yourself to be unworthy of your office, to be unworthy of the trust of civilised men and women."
The Russian President said the death was a tragedy, but he had not seen any definitive proof that it was a "violent death". He also brushed off suggestions linking him to the case.
Mr Litvinenko's tearful father Walter said: "This regime is a mortal danger to the world", adding: "It was an excruciating death."
Mr Litvinenko's supporters said he was killed because he was investigating the murder last month of journalist and fellow Putin critic Anna Politkovskaya.
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Poisoned: Alexander Litvinenko Spy 'Poisoned By Radiation'
Updated: 20:36, Friday November 24, 2006
A large quantity of radiation, probably from a substance called Polonium 210, has been found in the body of dead ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The "major dose" of alpha radiation was detected in his urine, said Government experts, who added that Polonium 210 is only dangerous if ingested.
They also revealed that police have found radiation at three locations: his Muswell Hill home, a central London sushi bar where he ate shortly before falling ill, and a hotel where he had met two Russians that morning.
Russian's home searched
Dr Pat Troop, head of the Health Protection Agency, said the death was an "unprecedented event in the UK" and he had "apparently been poisoned by a type of radiation".
The development came as Home Secretary John Reid revealed the police were searching for residual radioactive material at a number of locations.
Police in the UK are trying to find out who and what killed the 43-year-old former security agent.
Before he died in a London hospital on Thursday night, Mr Litvinenko wrote a statement on Tuesday blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering his murder.
The distraught father
He accused the leader of having "no respect for life, liberty or any civilised value".
He told Mr Putin: "You have shown yourself to be unworthy of your office, to be unworthy of the trust of civilised men and women."
The Russian President said the death was a tragedy, but he had not seen any definitive proof that it was a "violent death". He also brushed off suggestions linking him to the case.
Mr Litvinenko's tearful father Walter said: "This regime is a mortal danger to the world", adding: "It was an excruciating death."
Mr Litvinenko's supporters said he was killed because he was investigating the murder last month of journalist and fellow Putin critic Anna Politkovskaya.