Barrymore supports pool death probe
Barrymore supports pool death probe
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Thursday, 20, Apr 2006 11:48
Michael Barrymore has insisted he fully supports yesterday's decision by police to re-examine the death of a 31-year-old butcher in the former TV presenter's swimming pool five years ago.
Stuart Lubbock was found dead at Barrymore's home in Roydon, near Harlow, Essex, in March 2001.
An inquest in September 2002 into the death recorded an open verdict but Essex police have now announced that they plan to review the case.
Speaking through his publicist Tony Cowell, Barrymore said he "welcomes the news that the case is to be reviewed".
He added: "I have always maintained that I would do all I can to help both the police and the Lubbock family.
"I also told [Stuart's father] Terry Lubbock, when I met with him earlier this year, that I would do anything to help him bring this case to an end."
Mr Lubbock's father, from Harlow, also welcomed news of the review, saying: "All I want to know is the truth about what happened to my son and why he died.
"There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him.
"I would urge someone to have the courage to come forward and tell the truth."
A force spokeswoman said yesterday that a "routine review" of the inquiry has begun and that proceedings are at a "very early stage".
Barrymore, 53, a former game show host and a contestant on this year's Celebrity Big Brother TV series, was the subject of an initial police investigation but was not prosecuted.
The Lubbock family had tried to launch a private prosecution against Barrymore earlier this year, but a district judge blocked their attempt citing a lack of new evidence.