Poison spy's family allowed home in radiation all-clear

THE FAMILY of a Russian spy fatally poisoned in London have been allowed to return to their home in Haringey - two years on from his murder - after it was declared free from radiation.

Former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, 44, unwittingly contaminated the Muswell Hill house after being poisoned with radioactive isotope Polonium-210 in November 2006.

Mr Litvinenko's neighbours were horrified to learn that police had discovered radioactive traces of the poisonous substance during a search of the house following his death.

The radiation trail included eight people who met Mr Litvinenko in London the night he was poisoned.

His widow Marina and son Anatoli have now been told by Haringey council that it is safe to return to their home.

John Hadju, who chairs the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, said local residents were relieved the house was now safe.

"It has been a long and sad story," he said.

Mr Litvinenko ingested the poison after it was slipped into a cup of tea in a West End hotel. The British Government formally requested the extradition of ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi in relation to the poisoning but it was rejected by the Russian authorities. Lugovoi has always denied any involvement.