The 2006 murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko was “probably” organised by Moscow’s FSB intelligence service and approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a public inquiry has concluded.

Litvinenko died in London at the age of 43 after being poisoned with the radioactive isotope polonium-210, likely slipped into a cup of tea.

Two Russian men, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, have been accused of his murder, but Russia has refused to extradite them to face trial in the UK. They deny any involvement in his death.

In a 300-page report, chairman Sir Robert Owen said Putin and then-FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev likely signed off on Litvinenko’s murder following a long-running feud between the two former spies.

He wrote:

“Taking full account of all the evidence and analysis available to me I find that the FSB operation to kill Litvinenko was probably approved by Mr Patrushev and also by President Putin.”

Following the publication of the report, Litvinenko’s widow Marina said she was pleased with the investigation, which showed the allegations made by Litvinenko on his deathbed were true. She called on the UK to expel all Russian intelligence operatives and impose economic sanctions and travel bans on those involved in the plot, including Putin.