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Vladimir Putin 'probably' approved Alexander Litvinenko killing in London

President Vladimir Putin "probably" approved the assassination of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London, a public inquiry has found.

Sir Robert Owen's report said Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun were probably acting under the direction of Moscow's FSB intelligence service when they poisoned him with radioactive polonium 210 at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair in 2006.

The Home Secretary said the Russian ambassador will be summoned to the Foreign Office to be told about the Government’s anger about the case.

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Litvinenko inquiry 'could complicate ties with Russia'

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov speaks during a news conference in Moscow Credit: Reuters

The Litvinenko inquiry will "seriously complicate Russian-British ties", Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

British government leaders could be sued for slander for their comments over the Litvinenko inquiry, Lavrov told a news conference.

The judge-led inquiry found President Vladimir Putin "probably" approved the assassination of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London.

Sir Robert Owen's report said Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun were probably acting under the direction of Moscow's FSB intelligence service when they poisoned him with radioactive polonium 210 at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair in 2006.

He added he inquiry contained groundless accusations and left many questions unanswered.

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Vladimir Putin 'probably' approved Alexander Litvinenko killing in London

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