BRITAIN:The investigation into the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko gathered pace dramatically yesterday as it emerged that a number of British Airways aircraft that fly between Moscow and London have been contaminated with radioactive material.
Two BA Boeing 767s were grounded at London-Heathrow airport following tests ordered by London's Metropolitan police, and a third aircraft was being tested in Moscow after its pilot was warned not to take off.
Last night, the airline appealed to around 800 passengers to come forward. They flew on four flights between London and Moscow in the days either side of Litvinenko's poisoning on November 1st. However, it is understood that the airline is scrambling to contact up to 33,000 passengers and 3,000 of its own staff who flew on the aircraft, on 10 different routes, since October 25th. The airline said that only "very low traces" of the substance had been discovered on the Boeing 767s.
It is thought Mr Litvinenko was not a passenger on any of the jets - he had been granted British citizenship after claiming asylum following his decision to become a whistleblower about the activities of the Russian security services.
Aviation industry sources suggested other individuals connected to the police investigation had travelled on the aircraft. The police are particularly interested in a flight from Moscow to London on October 25th.
It is known Mr Litvinenko met two Russian contacts, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun, at the Millennium Hotel in London on November 1st, the day he fell ill.
Mr Lugovoi, a former KGB bodyguard who now runs a security company in Moscow, has said that he flew in the day before with his family and friends to attend a football match and for a series of business meetings.
As Mr Litvinenko lay dying, Mr Lugovoi insisted he had been framed by someone who wished him to appear to be the poisoner. "I have the feeling that someone is trying to set me up as the fall guy."
Shortly before Mr Litvinenko died last Thursday night, police realised he had been poisoned with polonium 210, a rare and highly toxic isotope. Since then they have found traces of the substance at seven buildings around London, including the former spy's home and the two hospitals where he was treated.
Mr Litvinenko's associates were accusing the Kremlin of being behind the poisoning even before he died. Russian officials have dismissed such claims as nonsense, saying he is more likely to have been the victim of intrigue among the Russian community in London.
Scotland Yard's newly formed counter-terrorism command is refusing to describe it as a murder investigation, prompting speculation that they believe the spy may have poisoned himself.
BA was trawling passenger lists and setting up a dedicated call centre last night as it raced to contact thousands of passengers.