The Litvinenko Inquiry

Part 3 | Chapters 1 to 5 | Alexander Litvinenko
c. On or around 9 November, Marina Litvinenko asked Mr Litvinenko’s consultant,
Dr Dean Creer whether Mr Litvinenko’s infection could have been the result of
poisoning. She explained that her husband was usually extremely fit and healthy,
but, “he knew of dangerous people and a friend of theirs had been poisoned and
killed by these people”, hence her anxiety. Dr Creer told her that the symptoms
were common and that intentional infection/poisoning was not likely 115
d. Dr Virchis took over Mr Litvinenko’s care on 13 November. He was aware of
Mrs Litvinenko’s previously expressed concerns about possible poisoning, 116 and
he observed that Mr Litvinenko’s condition did not fit with the previous evolving
diagnosis of gastro-enteritis or of Ciprofloxacin toxicity. 117 Further attempts were
made by medical staff to identify a cause for Mr Litvinenko’s declining condition
and various investigations were carried out involving toxicology colleagues at
Guy’s Hospital poisons unit 118
e. When considering the signs and symptoms with which Mr Litvinenko was
presenting, it struck Dr Virchis that his presentation was similar to that of a
patient suffering from acute leukaemia who had been treated with intensive
chemotherapy and total body irradiation prior to a bone marrow transplant. 119
The clinical notes reveal that radiology was to be asked to, “check radioactive
sources of poisoning.” Testing with a Geiger counter on 15 November did not
detect radioactive emissions 120
f. On 16 November Dr Virchis spoke to Mr Ivan House at the poisons unit. Mr House
stated that preliminary results showed that Mr Litvinenko’s condition should be
treated as “suspicious thallium poisoning”; and treatment with Prussian blue was
started that evening 121
g. Dr Virchis was concerned that tests showed that Mr Litvinenko’s bone marrow had
degenerated and contained no discernible normal blood forming elements. He
considered a bone marrow transplant to be the only means of restoring meaningful
bone marrow function, 122 and discussed the possibility of such a transplant with
staff at University College Hospital (UCH). Mr Litvinenko was transferred to UCH
on 17 November 123
The hair sample
3.121 An incident of some importance to this Inquiry that took place whilst Mr Litvinenko was
in Barnet Hospital was the collection of some hair from his head. He had begun to
lose his hair a few days after his admission to hospital. Marina Litvinenko explained in
evidence that he found it very uncomfortable when his hair started to fall out, and she
asked a Russian friend, Valentina Michenina, to come to the hospital and shave his
head. 124 Mrs Michenina gave oral evidence and had a clear memory of this incident.
115
Virchis 18/37-39
116
Virchis 18/41-42
117
Virchis 18/50; 18/52
118
Virchis 18/51-53
119
Virchis 18/55-58
120
Virchis 18/59-60
121
Virchis 18/67-68
122
Virchis 18/70
123
Virchis 18/72
124
Marina Litvinenko 4/58-59
35