Litvinenko

I was somewhat surprised to learn yesterday that our 'government' had ordered a public enquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko, since the facts of his murder had been firmly established some years ago by me working on a pro bono basis for our then PM Tony Blair. As the foremost expert in the toxic effects of ingested radio-active materials, it might be imagined that I would feel affronted by the decision to hold a fresh enquiry, since that could appear to question the reliability of my initial findings. Those in the know will take a different view: for them the unquestionable authority of my original judgement will prove that the new enquiry is a piece of political theatre, designed with the sole aim of embarrassing Putin. My surprise yesterday was that anyone should imagine that Putin's skin was sufficiently thin for him to stand the least chance of embarrassment by such an obvious load of old bolonium.