Coroner asks for public inquiry into spy's death

A coroner overseeing a British inquest into the 2006 poisoning death of Alexander Litvinenko has requested that a separate public inquiry be held so that crucial evidence can be scrutinised.

The request announced today comes after a ruling last month that sensitive evidence, including documents relating to Russia's alleged role in the former agent turned Kremlin critic's death, must be excluded from the existing inquest on national security grounds.

Litvinenko's widow believes a separate inquiry will clarify what happened to Litvinenko, who died in 2006 after drinking tea laced with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 at a London hotel.

Coroner Robert Owen made the request to Justice Secretary Christopher Grayling.
 

Inquests are conducted in Britain to establish the circumstances surrounding unexpected or violent deaths.