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The Daily Telegraph identify four loose theories:
The apparent poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko is already a whodunit to delight conspiracy theorists. There are some of the principal suspects:
1 The Russian State: did Mr Lit-vinenko's accusations threaten Vladimir Putin's international reputation and did he hold more secrets on the death of the campaigning journalist Anna Politskayova that would cause even more embarrassment for the Kremlin.? Or was he just small fry, not worth the risk of a grave breach of diplomatic relations with Britain?
2 Rogue elements within or ex-members of the Russian secret services: Mr Litvinenko's career was built first on rising through the ranks of the KGB and the FSB which inherited its domestic role. Then he turned whistleblower. Both stages of his life made him plenty of enemies in a murderous world. But would anyone feel so strongly as to incur the risks of killing him in London?
3 Chechen separatists: Although he showed no interest in the subject before leaving Russia, in exile Mr Litvinenko became heavily involved in the dangerous world of Chechen politics. Two men believed to be from the Chechnya region of Russia were arrested and later released over the firebombing of the north London homes of Mr Litvinenko and Ahmed Zakayev, a separatist leader.
4 "Friends" in Britain: could Mr Litvinenko's death somehow be a boon to people in this country who, in the past, have fought on the same side as the former agent? It might be in the interests of some people who fear extradition to Russia if Mr Litvinenko appeared to have already fallen victim to a ruthless and oppressive regime.
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