Daily Record : Pathologists test for radioactive poisons in blood of MI6 spy found dead padlocked in bag

Pathologists test for radioactive poisons in blood of MI6 spy found dead padlocked in bag

September 7, 2010

DETECTIVES probing the mystery death of an MI6 codebreaker are looking for radioactive poisons.

Gareth Williams, 31, was found naked in a padlocked sports bag at his London flat.

Scotland Yard confirmed that detailed tests had found no traces of drugs, medicines or even alcohol in his blood.

An earlier postmortem found no marks on Mr Williams and no signs of a disturbance at his flat near MI6 HQ.

Police now want forensic scientists to search for rare poisons - including polonium 210, used to kill former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.

Sources said there is no suggestion yet that radioactive substances were involved.

Police found Mr Williams on August 23 when he failed to report for his top secret work.

Detective Chief Inspector Jacqui Sebire said: "This remains a complex, unexplained death inquiry".

Litvinenko died after drinking a cup of tea spiked with polonium 210 while meeting former Russian agents in London in 2006.