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New Barrymore pool death inquiry New Barrymore pool death inquiry
(about 3 hours later)
A new inquiry is to be launched into the death of a man whose body was found in a swimming pool at the home of comedian Michael Barrymore, say police. Police are to launch a new inquiry into the death five years ago of a man whose body was found in a swimming pool at comedian Michael Barrymore's home.
The body of Stuart Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, was discovered in March 2001 at the entertainer's Essex home. The body of Stuart Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, Essex, was found during a party at the property in nearby Roydon.
No-one was charged with any offence relating to the death. The new inquiry follows a review of the original one. Mr Lubbock was later found to have severe internal injuries.
The star, 54, was sacked by ITV in 2002 following the incident. He has said he later contemplated suicide. No-one has ever been charged with any offence over the death, but the decision to have a new inquiry follows a police review of the original one.
A coroner recorded an open verdict following an inquest into Mr Lubbock's death in September 2002. Mr Barrymore, 54, who accepted an official caution for drug offences during the police investigation, was sacked by ITV in 2002 because of the events.
Mr Barrymore accepted an official caution for drugs offences following a lengthy investigation by Essex Police. He has said he later contemplated suicide.
A coroner recorded an open verdict at an inquest into Mr Lubbock's death in September 2002.
The fact remains that this an unsolved, unexplained case. The truth still needs to come out Harry Cichy, Lubbock family friend
Mr Lubbock's father Terry - also of Harlow - has mounted a campaign for his son's death to be reinvestigated.Mr Lubbock's father Terry - also of Harlow - has mounted a campaign for his son's death to be reinvestigated.
There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him Terry Lubbock Welcoming news of a new inquiry, Mr Lubbock's brother Kevin said: "I am pleased. It's what my father wanted all along." The Lubbock family said they were "delighted" by the police's decision to reinvestigate the death.
And the family's lawyer, Tony Bennett, added that his clients were "delighted by the police's decision". A friend of the Lubbock family, Harry Cichy, told BBC News 24: "There's a very great need for this case to be investigated again, fully.
Severe injuries "We hope and trust that all those at the party, including Michael Barrymore, are reinterviewed, recalled in to get to the truth of what happened to Stuart Lubbock that night at Michael Barrymore's home.
The dead man had been among a number of people at a party being held at the entertainer's home. Drugs in bloodstream
A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries, suggesting he may have been the victim of a serious sexual assault before his death. "The fact remains that this an unsolved, unexplained case. The police are reinvestigating it, the truth still needs to come out."
Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in the man's bloodstream. One the night he died, Stuart Lubbock had been among a number of people invited to a party at Mr Barrymore's home.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries, suggesting he may have been the victim of a serious sexual assault before his death.
Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.
No-one has been charged in relation to Stuart Lubbock's death
In February a district judge blocked a bid by Terry Lubbock to mount a private prosecution against Mr Barrymore.In February a district judge blocked a bid by Terry Lubbock to mount a private prosecution against Mr Barrymore.
Mr Lubbock had wanted the comedian to answer allegations of drug misuse, disorderly behaviour and assault.Mr Lubbock had wanted the comedian to answer allegations of drug misuse, disorderly behaviour and assault.
No-one has been charged in relation to Stuart Lubbock's deathHowever, following a private hearing at a magistrates' court in Southend, Essex, the district judge said there was insufficient evidence. However, following a private hearing at a magistrates' court in Southend, Essex, the district judge said there was insufficient evidence.
After that hearing, Terry Lubbock said he would continue "to fight for justice". After that hearing, Terry Lubbock said: "There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him.
"There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him," he told reporters. "None of them has ever come forward to tell us or the police the truth and I hope that pricks their conscience - and I doubt whether they sleep well at night. That includes Mr Barrymore."
"None of them has ever come forward to tell us or the police the truth and I hope that pricks their conscience - and I doubt whether they sleep well at night. That includes Mr Barrymore. New Zealand exile
"All I want to know is the truth about what happened to my son - why he died."
In response to the failed prosecution, Mr Barrymore said that he also sought the truth about what happened to Mr Lubbock.In response to the failed prosecution, Mr Barrymore said that he also sought the truth about what happened to Mr Lubbock.
The comedian, whose career faltered following the incident, said the evidence relied on in the attempted private prosecution was "either inadequate or unlawfully obtained".The comedian, whose career faltered following the incident, said the evidence relied on in the attempted private prosecution was "either inadequate or unlawfully obtained".
Confirming the new investigation, an Essex Police spokeswoman would only say: "We are going to reinvestigate the death of Stuart Lubbock." Mr Barrymore left the UK for a period of self-imposed exile in New Zealand in 2003.
She would not say whether detectives had any plans to re-interview the entertainer, or whether he had already been re-interviewed. He returned to take part in Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year, finishing runner-up to fake celebrity Chantelle Houghton.
Police began a routine review of the original investigation in April and confirmed the new investigation on Saturday.
A spokeswoman would not say whether detectives had any plans to reinterview Mr Barrymore or whether he had already been reinterviewed.
Mr Barrymore was appearing in Scrooge at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen on Saturday, the last night of the production there.
He has not yet made any comment about the reinvestigation.