asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What co-operation there has been between British and Russian authorities in the investigation of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko; and what implications this has for their relations with Russia.

My Lords, the United Kingdom has made several requests to Russia for mutual legal assistance in relation to the domestic investigation into the death of Mr Litvinenko. The Russian authorities have co-operated with the requests made. A request for assistance has also been received from Russia. The Home Secretary has considered its request, and has submitted it to the Metropolitan Police Service for further consideration. The Metropolitan Police are co-operating with the Russian authorities within UK law.

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that very full reply, but does she not agree that the cruel death of Alexander Litvinenko must be seen against the recent assassination of Anna Politkovskaya and some 12 other Russian journalists in recent years? Taken together with the restrictions on the media and NGOs in Russia and the continued ruthless oppression in Chechnya, which lies behind the claimed stability in that part of Russia, is it not essential that we avoid condoning in any way, directly or indirectly, activities that simply cannot be reconciled with the cause of the rule of law, justice and democracy, which we are so trenchantly advocating across the world?

My Lords, we take every opportunity to have a mature and frank relationship with all our international partners, including Russia, in relation to human rights, the rule of law and democracy. But it would be quite wrong to conflate the different cases, which we must consider in a way that would not inure to the benefit of justice. We are taking every step to ensure that we do that.

My Lords, nevertheless, is the Minister aware that, in some quarters in Moscow, the Government are being accused of double standards in dealing with requests for the extradition of certain Russian citizens, such as Boris Berezovsky and the Chechen leader, Ahmed Zakayev, while at the same time it is claimed that we are happy to deport suspected al-Qaeda terrorists back to their own countries? In that regard, can the Minister give us more information about the negotiations that are being held on the death of Alexander Litvinenko? Has Boris Berezovsky’s name been brought up in those discussions as a possible prime suspect, given that he is a very strong opponent of the current regime in Russia and particularly given the upcoming presidential elections?

My Lords, first, I should make it clear that there are no negotiations on Mr Litvinenko’s case. Noble Lords will know that we have a Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003, which sets out the criteria under which requests can be made by either party in those proceedings. That Act is what will govern all our relations with Russia on this issue.

My Lords, may I say how pleased I am, as I am sure are all noble Lords, to see the noble Baroness, Lady Scotland, back in her place after her recent absence and sad bereavement? On the question in hand, does she accept that although, for geopolitical reasons, we are going to need Russia’s help and support on a variety of crucial issues, not least the handling of Iran, when it comes to detailed exchanges we have the right to expect of Russia the behaviour of a power that aspires to be a democracy? In this respect, if the Russian detectives and Russian police authorities want to come here to examine this particular case, surely the Russian prosecutors should not be quite so ready to rule out all questions of extradition in the way that they have. It seems that they have ruled it out not merely for a particular individual, who has been named, but for all purposes connected with this case. Will the Minister assure us that the Government will put the case for reciprocity, balance and fairness very clearly indeed?

My Lords, I reassure the noble Lord that the Government have always put the case for reciprocity and fairness clearly with our Russian colleagues. Of course we have good relations with a number of our international partners, but that does not restrict or restrain us from raising issues that cause us acute and/or grave concern. Justice, human rights and fair play are issues that we will continue to press with all those with whom we deal.

My Lords, have any discussions taken place with the Soviet Government to ensure that one or more of their citizens can be tried in British courts?

My Lords, first I should remind the noble Lord that there is no longer a Soviet Government, but a Russian one. We will continue energetically to discuss with the Russian Government the priorities that I have just described. Noble Lords will know that the Litvinenko case is ongoing and I am not in a position to disclose or discuss particular issues in relation to it. However, we will continue to work very hard indeed on these issues. Lastly, I take this opportunity to thank the noble Lord, Lord Howell, for his words and all noble Lords who have been extraordinarily kind to me. I very much appreciate it.

My Lords, will my noble friend ensure that her right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary does not allow the issue of Chechnya to fall off the international agenda? As my noble friend Lord Judd said, gross human rights abuses continue to take place. Alexander Litvinenko was one of the most prominent in describing these, along with the part played by the FSB—the organisation to which Mr Litvinenko had once belonged—in fomenting particularly the second war in Chechnya. Will she make sure that this issue is not allowed to drop off the international agenda, but is raised at every possible opportunity in the United Nations, the European Union and other bodies?

My Lords, I can assure my noble friend that we remain deeply concerned about the situation in the north Caucasus, which remains fragile and vulnerable in terms of human rights violations. We will continue to press those issues with our partners.