Ministers block Litvinenko inquiry

The UK will not hold a public inquiry into the death of ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, the coroner in charge of his inquest has said.

Sir Robert Owen had requested an inquiry after ruling the inquest could not hear evidence linked to alleged Russian state involvement.

Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium in London in 2006.

His wife has said she will boycott the inquest if the government does not set up a public inquiry.