Barrymore police issue apology

Mr Barrymore has always denied involvement in Mr Lubbock's death

Police have apologised to the father of the man found dead near entertainer Michael Barrymore's swimming pool at his Essex home in 2001.

Terry Lubbock, Stuart Lubbock's father, said that Essex Police had told him "mistakes were made" by the force.

A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission identified failings in the initial inquiry into the death of Mr Lubbock.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with the case.

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Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead at Mr Barrymore's ex-property in Roydon, Essex.

Post-mortem tests showed Stuart Lubbock, 31, had suffered severe internal injuries which indicated sexual assault.

His bloodstream contained ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol.

In 2002, a coroner recorded an open verdict into his death.

Mr Barrymore and two other men were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and murder in 2007 but were subsequently released without charge.

Mr Lubbock wants to find out what happened to his son

Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police Andy Bliss said a new investigation in the death began in 2006 and this remains ongoing.

He said he had visited Mr Lubbock to deliver a personal apology on behalf of the force: "Over the last eight years, Essex Police has taken a number of steps to improve investigations into suspicious deaths.

"Since this investigation, Essex Police has introduced specific training for dealing with suspicious deaths and we continually seek to improve this.

"We remain determined to find out what happened to Stuart back in March 2001."