Reid debriefs EU on Litvinenko case

British Home Secretary John Reid today said he was to reassure European Union counterparts that there were “minimal” health risks for other nations in wake of the poisoning and death of a Russian ex-spy in London.

Reid, arriving for two-day EU justice and interior ministers talks said he would debrief other ministers on the latest developments in the British investigation of Alexander Litvinenko, who died on November 23 in London after he was exposed to a rare radioactive element.

Reid said a team of British police investigators would soon head to Moscow to interview several people who could shed light on the case.

“Any health threat is absolutely minimal so far as we can make out,” Reid said.

“British police will be going to Russia to continue their inquiries and continue to go wherever the evidence leads. This investigation will proceed as normal, whatever the diplomatic or whatever the wider considerations.”