Litvinenko inquest details emerge
An inquest could examine the possible role of British spies in the death of murdered Russian former agent Alexander Litvinen
2 November 2012
Last updated at 16:22 GMT
Alexander Litvinenko fell ill after a meeting with former KGB contacts in London in 2006
The inquest is set to be held as soon as possible next year.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, is thought to have been poisoned with polonium-210 after meeting two Russians for tea at a central London hotel in November 2006.
The pre-inquest review held on Friday took place at Camden Town Hall, in north London.
At the review it also emerged that certain government departments have not yet handed over material relevant to the inquest which was asked for in January.
Hugh Davies, counsel to the inquest, said it could extend to include "the possible culpability of the Russian state", as well as "the possible culpability of the British state in the death of Alexander Litvinenko either: one, in carrying out by itself or its agents the poisoning; or two, failing to take reasonable steps to protect Mr Litvinenko from a real and immediate risk to his life".
He said the Russian state has been invited since January to become an "interested party" in the inquest, although the offer had not yet been taken up.
The BBC's Gordon Corera said government departments and the intelligence agencies have not yet disclosed all potentially relevant material to the inquest, but their lawyers said they were hoping to do so in the coming weeks.
Our correspondent said interested party status would mean witnesses could be cross-examined and documents could examined.
Alexander Litvinenko inquest may consider 'spy links'
Alexander Litvinenko fell ill after a meeting with former KGB contacts in London in 2006
The
inquest into the death of murdered Russian former spy Alexander
Litvinenko could examine the possible role of British spies in his
death.
MI6 and the Russian secret service, the FSB, may become interested parties, a pre-inquest review has heard.The inquest is set to be held as soon as possible next year.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, is thought to have been poisoned with polonium-210 after meeting two Russians for tea at a central London hotel in November 2006.
The pre-inquest review held on Friday took place at Camden Town Hall, in north London.
At the review it also emerged that certain government departments have not yet handed over material relevant to the inquest which was asked for in January.
Hugh Davies, counsel to the inquest, said it could extend to include "the possible culpability of the Russian state", as well as "the possible culpability of the British state in the death of Alexander Litvinenko either: one, in carrying out by itself or its agents the poisoning; or two, failing to take reasonable steps to protect Mr Litvinenko from a real and immediate risk to his life".
He said the Russian state has been invited since January to become an "interested party" in the inquest, although the offer had not yet been taken up.
The BBC's Gordon Corera said government departments and the intelligence agencies have not yet disclosed all potentially relevant material to the inquest, but their lawyers said they were hoping to do so in the coming weeks.
Our correspondent said interested party status would mean witnesses could be cross-examined and documents could examined.
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