Michael Barrymore sues Essex Police over damaged career
- Published
Michael Barrymore was arrested in 2001
Former TV presenter Michael Barrymore is suing Essex Police over his arrest after a man was found dead floating in his swimming pool.
Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found in the pool at Mr Barrymore's former home near Roydon in March 2001.
The pair had earlier met at a nightclub in Harlow.
Essex Police, which questioned Mr Barrymore before releasing him without charge, said it would be inappropriate to comment as proceedings were active.
Michael Barrymore at the Soldiering On Awards in 2012
Michael Barrymore was re-arrested in 2007 at the Roydon estate where he lived
The arrest has prompted the ex-Strike It Lucky host to take action against the force for damages to his reputation and career.
The Barrymore/Lubbock case
March 2001: Stuart Lubbock died at Michael Barrymore's former home, external in Roydon, Essex. Post-mortem tests found he had suffered severe internal injuries indicating sexual assault and his bloodstream contained ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol
October 2001: Following the police inquiry into Stuart Lubbock's death, Michael Barrymore is given a caution for drugs offences, external and allowing his home to be used for smoking cannabis. No further charges are brought
February 2006: Mr Lubbock's family are "blocked" from launching a private prosecution, external against the entertainer after a district judge rules there is insufficient evidence
June 2007: Mr Barrymore is arrested, external along with two other men on suspicion of serious sexual assault and murder, but in September the Crown Prosecution Service announces that Mr Barrymore will not face charges, external over the death of Mr Lubbock
February 2009: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) inquiry, external upholds six of 36 complaints and allegations made by Stuart's father, Terry Lubbock. The IPCC finds two pieces of evidence - a pool thermometer and a door handle - went missing after Stuart's death
March 2011: Ten years after Mr Lubbock's death, police make a new appeal for information on the case
Post-mortem tests found Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries indicating sexual assault and his bloodstream contained ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol.
Essex Police said at the time they were committed to establishing how Mr Lubbock died and how he received his injuries.
No-one has been charged over his death.
- Published30 March 2011