Russian police probing the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko will be allowed to come to the UK, according to press reports. British authorities deny a decision has been made, saying Moscow’s request has been passed on to Scotland Yard.

But the Observer newspaper claims the green light has already been given, saying Russian detectives will be allowed unprecedented access to exiled oligarchs. With British investigators keen to return to Moscow, there is speculation about a possible trade-off.

It is believed the Russians want to quiz Litvinenko’s friend, tycoon Boris Berezovsky, who has political asylum in Britain.

Media reports also suggest London is preparing to demand the extradition of Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial for the fatal poisoning. He maintains his innocence.

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