Spy death suspect to give evidence

One of the men accused of murdering poisoned spy Alexander Litvinenko will be told he can give evidence at the inquiry into his death in July, the Royal Courts of Justice has heard.

Robert Owen, chairman of the inquiry, said he would grant Dimitri Kovtun “core participation status” in the case if he meets a number of conditions including that he provides a full witness statement and discloses any relevant material.

Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi are prime suspects in the murder of Litvinenko, 43, who died nearly three weeks after he consumed tea laced with polonium-210 on November 1, 2006, at the Millennium Hotel in London.