Litvinenko inquiry: Prime suspect agrees to give evidence

One of the prime suspects in the killing of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko will give evidence at the inquiry into his death.

Businessman Dmitri Kovtun will give his testimony via video-link after he was given "core participant status" by the hearing's chairman Sir Robert Owen.

Core participant status means Mr Kovtun will be represented by council, may ask questions and could give evidence.

Mr Litvinenko died after drinking tea laced with polonium-210 in London in November 2006.

On his deathbed, he accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of ordering his assassination - a claim denied by the Kremlin.

Mr Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi are suspected of murdering the 43-year-old who died nearly three weeks after drinking the radioactive substance.

Both deny any involvement and remain in Russia. They said would not take part in the inquiry being held Royal Courts of Justice, London.

However, in March Mr Kovtun changed his mind and offered to give evidence.

In April, he said he believed the former KGB officer might have killed himself accidentally after handling radioactive material.

Sir Robert said earlier this year that he would grant him core participation status and allow him to give evidence if he met a number of conditions.