This is pure histeria. A case of an extreme radio- and KGB-phobia. And ignorance. (1) Plutonium is an alpha-emitter. It is harmful only when you eat or inhale it. Just wash your hands and you will be fine. There are so many things humans can't eat, no reason to get so excited. (2) KGB is big, and an association with the KGB does not make you a 007. Is there any evidence that the "real KGB" was involved? It was just a retired bodyguard, more like a security guard in your local supermarket.

Abzats, Houston, TX

Excellent decision. Hope that the EU will follow (even though I have some doubt in this respect). It's time to make Russia and Putin understand that their behaviours is unacceptable.
Whatever the economic interests.

Charles, Brussels, Belgium

Wol... people hold on, what is going on here?

A British citizen has been murdered on British soil with the use of radio active toxic materials that have left a trail all over Europe.

It is Russia that needs to learn that the days are over for this kind of utter madness.

Do not underestimate the resolve nor the capacity for a British response that is both robust and effective.

Bob, Varazdin, Croatia

The Russians will not hand him over but britain is doing the right thing. It is sending a strong message that next time a British citizen (or anyone else) for that matter is murdered by Putins people in Britain there will be a serious breakdown in the relationship.

Ago Ndubia, Geneva, Switzerland

There must be something more at the back of this whole tale: why would the UK overreact in this manner otherwise? It has happened in the past that countries have refused to extradite suspected criminals due to domestic pressures but sending home the country's diplomats was never a common response in the past, especially not in the context of otherwise quite friendly relations. Why not agree to have Lugovoi trialled in Russia? Or why not co-operate with the Russian police / Interpol to work on building more evidence to find the culprit?

It is irrational for Britain to risk major business interests and future energy supplies over one criminal case like this. There must be something more at the back of it as such a hardball response on behalf of Britain is over the top, especially when you weigh it up against the geopolitical context of a resurgent Russia and a weakened USA / UK.

MB, Edinburgh,

Get real !! Everyone!! It was not a bullet, a snake in the shower, A reinforced bowler hat, an old bag with steel tipped shoes to mention just a few, it was a highly deadly radioactive substance !!!! not exactly subtle would you say ?

Collywobble, portland,

It's sad that the British Govt have lost the plot.Habouring a terrorist on one hand......Preaching war against terror on the other hand.I would love the russians to call the British bluff by expelling all British diplomats in Russia ,to see what a spine less US puddle will do. Oops did I say puddle.The Americans have been killing the British citizens for years you never heard any Govt official saying nothing,just ask the family of the servicemen caught up in the friendly fire incidents.The British court told the Americans to release the evidence against there pilots,they said No. You never hear any British official making any comment about expelling US diplomats.

Jandon, London, England

Somtimes i wish that our goverment could learn to keep its mouth shut, just for once and see the bigger picture.....Russia, more western than it has ever been, great people and country........O' and just happens to have a rather large gas and oil supply that may be handy for our crapy island once winter arrives, as ours is rapidly running out.........dah.

Shane Farmer, Blackburn, lancs

Hold on - all this talk about politics and constitution ignores a basic fact. A man was murdered on the streets of London in 2006, suffering an incredibly painful, drawn-out death . This is simply wrong and the man who did it should be punished.

This is not politics, but basic morality.

Ray, London,

Britain's arrogance is incredible! "British officials are adamant that Mr Putin could find a way to extradite Mr Lugovoy if he wished to." Mr. Putin will not break Russian Constitition for some petty British officials because he refused to break it for himself and remain for the third term, even though 80% of Russians want it. Who do you think you are? UK has to learn its place in the "new world order". And its place is to be a butler of US. And butlers can not behave like their masters! Russia will refuse any attempt to pressure it into breaking its Constitution and will be absolutely right to do so. So, please, simply shut up about it and let it go. Otherwise UK risks to loose any reputation, whatever it has left after Iraq's war. It looks like that UK Goverment has lost its mind and put itself into a corner with no way out. And this all to save a crook Berezovsky. Where is your intellect? I know that you will ignore my message, but somebody should say it.

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

There are a couple of points I like to make
A) It is against Russia’s constitution to extradite a Russian citizen.
B) The UK has been offered for Lugovoy to be tried in Russia.
C) It is a criminal case nothing to do with politics.

Additionaly:
D) Russia has made numerous request with the UK and all denied
E) UK are allegedly harbouring a number of dubious characters in the UK

The UK politicians are taking a big reputation risk, and are more likely to loose face over this then Russia. I wonder why?

Erik, London,

Dead donkey ears instead of Lugovoy.
I would prefer Tony Blair to be handed over to Russia for his
criminal Middle East policy, he would be given some comfortable Inn in Siberia for a 10 years term.
You may call everyday Litvinenko or Beresovskiy political
refugees but they do not stop to be racketeer and a rip off artist respectively to be put on trial in Russia.

Anton, Moscow,

If this continues, it could be a very cold winter for the British working class as Russia turns off the tap(oil & Gas)in response. All this over some seedy spie's death. He most likely spied in England. Britain should strive to be a better European country. The Atlanticist policies of Tony Blair have damaged the Britain and the World. What was Tony thinking, that England could be the 51st state, in the American Union?

Robert J. Van den Broeck, Kouchibouguac, Canada/New Brunswick

Send in James Bond with licence to kill.

Terry Dell, Weybridge, UK

Stop wasting you time talking trash. I think we can only bark now but cannot bit the Russian. They have started so good that no one wanna see the risk of the future. All the western countries/companies care about now is petrol money! money!! money!!!

Martin , Malaga, UK in Spain

Perhaps when the UK returns the "asylumed" criminals it is protecting from Russia, and the revolution seeking Berezovsky then England might see some measure of respect. So far it is purely double standards on Englands part.
The UK is protecting people wanted for the supporting/aiding the Bezlan attack, but will not release them so why should Russia release one "still innocent till proven guilty" suspect.

Darren, London,

Months ago I commented that the government was on a fools errand trying to arrest anyone in Moscow suspected of being Mr. Litvinenko's murder and here we are looking foolish. The only people to benefit from this miserable episode were the police officers getting a paid break in Moscow allegedly to find the culprit and presumably some sight seeing whilst the Moscow authorities messed them about. This governments foreign policy is a complete joke as it fails to understand the modern world and seems lost in the early 20th century.

Mike, Alicante, Spain

Now if ever there was a case for referral to the United Nations then this is it. Britain is far too puny to take this on alone and our politicians will give it up in the end anyway. The Russians can turn up their noses with impunity unless worldwide concern is expressed.

trevorjd, Torbay, UK

What total hypocrisie. At the same time Britain refuses to honor interpol warrants for Boris Beresovsky and Chenchen terrorists (living in London) linked with the murder of 100s of people in Russia. It now want to suggest Putin goes against the Russian constitution. Well then retaliate and see what the payback is from Russia. This second class Americans Gov vassal state epitomized by former PM Blair, is just that, a Gov taking its orders from the cabal in Washington in response to blocking the rise of Russia through Anti Russian Propaganda. Listen get out of Iraq, get out of Afghanistan and mind your own business in respect to Russia. That would at be at least respectful.

Anna Dytz, Sydney, Australia / NSW

Interesting. I can suggest that it was almost certainly not Lugovoy who poisoned Litvinenko; but someone has been to a great deal of trouble and expense to set him up, to look as if it is (probably some secret-secret department of the FSB itself). We really are being out-done in the James Bond stakes here.

H. Grattan, Johannesburg, South Africa

These cold war warriors in Britain still can not get
that President Putin simply can not make any decisions
which are against Russian Constitution. It is simply
not the President's job to interfere in such matters,
especially in the cases of criminal court.
Giving the fact that British detectives have not even
provided criminal evidence to Russia regarding the case,
trial of Lugovoi in Russia is in doubt. There is also
widespread opinion in Russia that if Lugovoi would come
to Britain on his own accord, he will not have fair trial.
British courts are politically controlled from the central
government, famously refusing extradite to other countries
known criminals for political reasons.

Ignatieff, Moscow, Russia

Mr A. Lugovoy insists on his innocence? What we heard from him and his superiors from FSB about British spying operations in Russia is nonsense and rubbish. So far they have not been able to produce any proof or evidence. A guilty mind betrays itself. Go ahead, Britain!

Eli, Taipei, Taiwan

Britain should be careful considering its punitive actions otherwise nobody knows what would happen to British companies in Russia. If British companies leave Russia, German or French would come.

Tomo Saionji, Tokyo, Japan

Russia: a criminally based society that protects its criminals. Simple. It's a laughable to suggest tthat Russia has any respect for the law, they have only scorn for the law. In this case the usual childish and purile response was always going to happen, the Russian instinct for conspiracy,and xenophobia, mixed with its own absurd brand of nationalism and lack of rationale is in full flow.

Russia is waging a national campagn based on the idea that it should be taken seriously, the Kremlins love of propaganda and TV is a marvel to behold, the Russian public is compliant and gullable and all this ignores the fact that if you want to be taken seriously, then act seriously.

Russia hasn't changed a jot over the last decade, its still a rogue state.

Mark Gates, Tallin,