Litvinenko Killing: U.K. Tries to Block Truth

Litvinenko Killing: 'UK Tries To Block Truth'


The ex-spy's family claim ministers want to hide the truth
about the killing in 2006 to protect trade links with Russia.


4:47pm UK,
Tuesday 26 February 2013



Video: The ex-spy died in 2006 after
being poisoned with a radioactive substance
Enlarge

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  By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent
  
  Lawyers for the family of murdered former spy Alexander
  Litvinenko have accused the British Government of trying to block the truth over
  the killing in order to protect trade with Russia.
  
  Ben Emmerson QC, representing Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina, warned the
  coroner he should not allow the inquest into the death to be "bogged down" by
  the "Government's attempt to keep a lid on the truth".
  
  Mr Litvinenko, a former KGB spy who it is claimed was also working for MI6,
  died in 2006 after being poisoned with a radioactive substance in London.
  
  The UK authorities believe the Russian state was behind the killing, but no
  one has so far been brought to justice.
  
  The British Government is applying for a Public Interest Immunity
  certificate, preventing key details from being heard at the forthcoming
  inquest.
  
  Mr Litvinenko's family believe the UK Government is trying to stop
  embarrassing revelations about the spy's links to MI6 from being aired in
  public.
  Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina
  
  Mr Emmerson also cited a recent trade visit Prime Minister David Cameron had
  made to Moscow - a trip which the QC said had secured £215m worth of business
  but no movement on the Litvinenko case.
  
  Mr Emmerson said he believed the "UK and Russian Governments were trying to
  manipulate the inquest".
  
  He told the coroner the case has "all the hallmarks of a situation which is
  shaping up to be a stain on British justice".
  
  He said there should be no suggestion London and Moscow were conspiring
  together to close the inquest down.
  
  Mr Emmerson also revealed the British Government had repeatedly refused to
  fund Mrs Litvinenko's legal costs for the inquest.
  
  Coroner Sir Robert Owen intervened to say he believed it was of the utmost
  importance that Mrs Litvinenko be properly represented at the inquest.
  

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Yet another example of British Government double standards ...the sooner Cameron is ousted the better.!!!!!!!