To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had at meetings of the Council of Ministers on (a) the European Union response to the murder of Alexander Litvinenko and (b) the refusal of the Russian authorities to extradite Andrei Lugovoi; and if he will make a statement. (182189)

[holding answer 31 January 2008]: We have been working at all levels with our partners in the EU to maintain EU pressure on Russia to ensure Andrei Lugovoi faces charges in connection with the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in the UK. Our EU partners support our view that this is an issue which needs to be pursued within the framework of the EU’s relations with Russia. We continue to demand that Lugovoi should stand trial in the UK. We have made clear to partners that Lugovoi remains charged with murder in the UK and is liable to prosecution here.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in his statement of 16 July 2007, Official Report, columns 21-22, undertook to keep the House informed of any significant development in this case.