Police review Barrymore pool death

Detectives today said they were reviewing the death of a butcher whose body was found in a swimming pool at the home of television entertainer Michael Barrymore.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, of Harlow, Essex, was found dead at Barrymore's home in Roydon, near Harlow, in March 2001 following a party.

Police launched a lengthy investigation following Mr Lubbock's death - but no one was charged in relation to the tragedy.

An open verdict was recorded at an inquest.

Barrymore accepted a police caution for drug offences as a result of the inquiry.

A spokeswoman for Essex police said inquiries were regularly revisited and the review was "routine".

She said it was possible police would interview Barrymore and other people at the party - but added that the inquiry was at an early stage.

"We have begun a routine review of the inquiry and that is at a very early stage," she said.

"A team of officers will look at the file and everything that has happened since. It is possible that people will be interviewed again but no decisions have been made."

In February, Mr Lubbock's family failed in an attempt to launch a private prosecution against Barrymore.

Relatives wanted Barrymore to answer allegations of drug misuse, disorderly behaviour and assault.

But a district judge blocked the move, saying there was insufficient evidence offered to a private hearing at a magistrates court in Southend, Essex.

The Lubbock family wanted to accuse Barrymore of six offences - four related to the misuse of drugs, one alleging drunk and disorderly behaviour and one alleging assault.

Mr Lubbock's father Terry, also of Harlow, welcomed today's police decision and said he would continue to "fight for justice" for his son.

"There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him," he said.

"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 if they sleep well at night. That includes Mr Barrymore.

"All I want to know is the truth about what happened to my son and why he died and I would urge someone to have the courage to come forward and tell the truth.

"This will never go away. The people who know what happened will have it on their minds forever."

Barrymore said, in a statement issued after the attempted private prosecution failed, he also wanted to uncover the truth about what happened to Mr Lubbock.