Alexander Litvinenko inquest
Date: 30/11/06
Statement on behalf of Dr. Andrew Reid, HM Coroner for the Inner Northern District of Greater London
Dr Andrew Reid, HM Coroner for the Inner Northern District of Greater London today (Thursday 30 November) opened and formally adjourned the inquest into the death of Alexander Litvinenko at St Pancras Coroners Court.
The inquest will re-open at a date to be fixed following investigations by the Metropolitan Police.
The autopsy will be conducted under Section 20 of the Coroner’s Act and will be performed by a Home Office approved pathologist appointed by the Coroner. The Coroner also received notification from solicitors acting for Mrs Litvinenko that, under rule 7 of The Coroners Rules, they have instructed a pathologist to represent her at the autopsy.
Under the Coroner’s Rules, and in accordance with Home Office guidelines, an additional independent pathologist will also be present. The report filed by this pathologist will remain confidential unless criminal proceedings are brought in relation to this case. In the event that this case resulted in criminal proceedings, this evidence would be made available to the defendant in addition to the disclosure of The Crown's prosecution evidence.
The Coroner has issued a Burial Order allowing the family to instruct a funeral service to take possession of the body once the autopsy has been completed, subject to further advice from the Health Protection Agency regarding the issue of radioactive contamination.
During the autopsy, levels of radiation will be constantly monitored to ensure the safety of those present.
The Coroner will not be disclosing any further procedural details of how the autopsy will be carried out until the resumption of the inquest, out of respect to Mr Litvinenko’s relatives.
Notes to editors
The Coroner is an independent judicial officer appointed by the London Borough of Camden as the lead borough of a Coroner's district that covers the consortium of Camden, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Islington.
Camden Council also funds the Coroner's Service on behalf of the consortium with court buildings (at St Pancras and Poplar), a small number of support staff, and running costs of inquests. The Coroner's officers who carry out investigative work are appointed and funded by the Metropolitan Police.
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Page last updated Dec 1, 2006 11:02 AM
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