Andrei Lugovoy whom British authorities accused of murdering former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has claimed that the British security services were behind the murder.

Andrei Lugovoy said he holds evidence that MI6 had a hand in Litvinenko's poisoning by polonium-210. Lugovoy, who held a press conference today, also said MI6 tried to recruit him to collect information on President Putin and that both Litvinenko and exiled tycoon Boris Berezovsky were on its payroll.

He said «Even if they (UK specialservices) hadn't done it themselves, it was done under their control orconnivance.»

The llegations are the latest twist in Litvinenko affair. Litvinenko — a bizarre character apparently in employ of the British intelligence who once was a FSB employee and managed to betray his employer, country and even religion — as he converted to Islam just before being murdered or more likely sacrificed by the British intelligence services. For the UK Litvinenko has become a liability while murdering him would have both freed it from this liability and provided new leverage in the propagandist anti-Russian campaign waged by official London and subservient British media.

UK formally asked for Lugovoy extradition earlier this week though the Crown Prosecution Service was perfectly aware in advance that it is staging an international provocation as Lugovoy could not be extradicted because Russian consitution prohibits citizens extradition under any circumstances.

Lugovoy made a number of claims during his press conference, translated for broadcast by the Russia Today television channel. Lugovoi said that MI6 asked him to gather compromising information onPresident Putin. He claimed Litvinenko was working for the British intelligence and that Berezovsky, a billionnaire and a known criminal figure wanted in Russia on variety of charges (UK consistently refused all extradition requests) is also cooperating with the British intelligence.

Lugovoy is now a successful businessman providing security consulting and training services. He claimed that Litvinenko affair cost him 20 million euros in lost business.

Lugovoy and another Russian national met in London with Litvinenko on November 1. British Police later found traces ofthe rare isotope polonium-210 at a number of different locations includinghotels, a restaurant and aeroplanes, which allegedly were used by Lugovoy.

Litvinenko later died in hospital and was buried according to Islamic rites. On his dead he accused Putin of orchestrating his murder.