10 November 2023 , 19:16
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The brother of the man found dead in Michael Barrymore’s pool has urged people at the party that night to break their wall of silence.
Stuart Lubbock, 31, died at Barrymore’s house on March 31, 2001. He had internal injuries consistent with a serious sexual assault. His brother Kevin, 55, said: “With the people at the party, there is a wall of silence. I think many people do know what happened to Stuart but perhaps they are afraid to say.”
Asked if he had a message for the eight partygoers, Kevin said: “It’s been 20 years now, tell the truth.” On the night of Stuart’s death, Barrymore was at the Millennium nightclub in Harlow with then-boyfriend Jonathan Kenney before inviting him and others home to Roydon, Essex.
Michael Barrymore pictured in 2017 (PA)
Michael Barrymore, 49, departing from his home in the village of Roydon, Essex August 15 2001, following his arrest on suspicion of drugs offences after the death of Stuart Lubbock (PA)At 5.46am party guest, Justin Merritt dialled 999 to say a “geezer” had drowned in the pool. Police did not secure the scene, after appearing to accept that meat factory supervisor Stuart drowned after drinking heavily and taking cocaine and ecstasy.
Only after a post-mortem later that day found Stuart, of Harlow, had suffered the internal injuries was a murder probe launched. Ex-Strike It Lucky host Barrymore, now 71, was given a caution in October 2001 for drug offences. No further charges were brought. Mr Kenney and Mr Merritt were arrested on suspicion of murder and later released without charge.
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Police forensic vans arrive at the entertainer Michael Barrymore's home in Roydon in Harlow, Essex Wednesday August 15 2001 (PA)All three were arrested on suspicion of murder and rape in 2007 but were later released without charge. All deny involvement in Stuart’s death.
Justice
Detectives arrested a 50-year-old suspect in Cheshire in 2021 “in connection with the indecent assault and murder of Stuart’’, they said. He too was later released without charge. Stuart’s dad Terry, who had campaigned for justice for his son for 20 years, died the following month.
Kevin LubbockKevin said: “The police should have done their job years ago.” He recalled seeing his brother for the last time at the Millennium nightclub. Kevin said: “There were loads of people around the toilet area, I asked Stuart what was going on and he said Michael Barrymore was in the toilet.
“He [Barrymore] came out and was shaking people’s hands.” Kevin said he last saw his brother chatting to a female friend. He added: “That was it. That evening was very strange, I didn’t feel myself. I didn’t go to the party but perhaps I wish I did go, maybe it would have been different.”
An inquest heard that Mr Lubbock was pulled from the swimming pool (Channel 4)Kevin said he and Stuart had got to know Millennium regulars Claire Jones and Kelly Campbell, who were also at the party, in the weeks leading up to it. He said he would be open to talking to the pair about what happened.
In 2009, the police watchdog found officers missed crucial evidence and did not ensure forensic tests were done until six years later. Barrymore sued Essex police for wrongful arrest but lost the case in the Court of Appeal.