Radiation poisoning ruled out as cause of Gaidar illness

Doctors treating a former Russian Prime Minister in Moscow are understood to have ruled out radiation poisoning as the cause of his illness.

Yegor Gaidar fell violently ill and was rushed to hospital while visiting Ireland last week.

However, his condition quickly recovered and he returned to Russia, where he is now recovering and undergoing tests.

Some associates of the 50-year-old have claimed he may have been poisoned as no natural cause has been found to explain his illness.

The claims prompted fears of possible radiation contamination in Ireland as an ex-bodyguard of Mr Gaidar reportedly met the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London on the day he fell ill with Polonium poisoning.

Mr Litvinenko later died of his illness, but Russian doctors are understood to have firmly ruled out radiation poisoning in Mr Gaidar's case.

Tests are still being conducted to see if he was poisoned by a different means, but his mother has suggested that the illness may have been triggered by exhaustion and long-running health problems

The Gardaí, meanwhile, say their inquiries are continuing.