A key suspect in the London inquiry into the murder of a former Russian spy has been given a Tuesday deadline to give evidence.
Dmitry Kovtun had been expected to start testifying via videolink from Russia on Monday, at the probe into the death of Alexander Litvinenko in the British capital in 2006.
But he says he hasn't been able to obtain permission from Russian officials to do so.
Mr Litvinenko was poisoned by radioactive substance Polonium 210 after having tea at a London hotel with Dmitry Kovtun and another Russian man, Alexander Lugovoi.
British authorities believe the two Russian agents murdered Mr Litvinenko, but both deny involvement.
Dan Whitehead is outside London's High Court and says Mr Kovtun's evidence could be pivotal to the inquiry.
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Dan Whitehead is outside London's High Court and says is Mr Kovtun doesn't end up giving evidence at all, it will mean the inquiry misses some key testimony.
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