Radiation Found at Dozen Locations in Russian Spy Probe

Home Secretary John Reid has said that traces of radioactivity had been found at “around 12″ locations as part of the investigation into the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.

In a statement to lawmakers, he said a total of 24 places were being monitored for possible contamination, and added that a fourth airplane was also being investigated, in addition to three already identified.

“To date, around 24 venues have or are being monitored and experts have confirmed traces of contamination at around 12 of these venues,” he said, giving an update on the alert triggered by Litvinenko’s death.

Traces have been found on two British Airways planes held at London’s Heathrow airport, and Reid said that on one of those planes health authorities believe there is “no residual public health risk remaining on that plane.”

They are continuing to study the second plane at Heathrow, he said, but also insisted the risk was low.

A third British Airways plane is still being investigated in Moscow, he confirmed Thursday.

“BA has decided not to return it to London until the position is clearer. The government is in contact with BA over the next steps,” he told the lower House of Commons.

In addition a fourth plane, a Boeing 737 leased to Russian private carrier Transaero airlines arrived at Heathrow Thursday morning, he said.

To questions after his statement, Reid said there was one other Russian plane they may be “interested in”.

“There may be other aeroplanes that we don’t at this stage know about,” he added.

Between them, the three BA aircraft initially identified had made 221 flights involving about 33,000 passengers and about 3,000 staff, Reid said in his statement.

“Passengers details will be collected and the Health Protection Agency will contact any individual if any matters of concern,” he said, referring to the health body dealing with the scare.

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