The British inquiry into the killing of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has heard claims that Vladimir Putin personally ordered his murder.

Describing the Russian president as a “tinpot despot”, the lawyer for the agent’s family said there were several reasons for Moscow’s involvement in his death by poisoning in London in 2006.

“We say that it is certain that the Russian state ordered this murder and we say that you can be sure that that can not have happened without President Putin’s approval,” Ben Emmerson said, going further than had British police during previous evidence.

"Putin stands accused of #Litvinenko’s murder, not on the basis of inference… but on solid and direct evidence" inquiry is told.— Deborah Haynes (@haynesdeborah) 31 Juillet 2015


In his closing statement the lawyer, said Litvinenko had produced reports for the West linking Putin and his allies to criminal gangs.

Litvinenko’s widow Marina, who pressured Britain into holding the inquiry that w