Barrymore may face MORE police questions over pool death after 'trace of blood found'

Michael Barrymore could face a new police quiz over the death of Stuart Lubbock after officers investigating the 2001 tragedy found a trace of blood, it was claimed today.

The blood is believed to belong to 31-year-old Mr Lubbock but more detailed tests are now taking place.

Detectives are believed to have informed Her Majesty's Coroner who is investigating the death and hope it could be the breakthrough they have been waiting for.

Barrymore, his former boyfriend Jonathan Kenney, 37, and dustman Justin Merritt, 32, were arrested last year on suspicion of murder and sexual assault but released without charge because there was insufficient evidence.

Essex Police remain convinced that Mr Lubbock, a butcher, was attacked before he drowned in the entertainer's swimming pool during a drug-fuelled party at his mansion in Roydon, Essex in March 2001.

Speaking after Barrymore's release last September, Det Chief Insp. Gareth Wilson said: "I want to make it very clear that this is not the end of the investigation."

"We are disappointed our latest inquiries have not brought us the answers the police and Stuart's family were looking for, and we remain committed to finding out the truth of what happened.

"I am convinced that someone knows and I hope their conscience or their obligation to do the right thing will eventually prevail and they come forward."

It is believed the blood was discovered after a new witness gave detectives important new information relating to those responsible for the death, the Daily Mirror reported.

The female witness is reported to be too frightened to make a formal statement to the police but police are trying to persuade her to change her mind.

It is understood she was either at the party or is personally linked to one of the suspects.

At first, police thought Mr Lubbock had drowned but pathologists revealed that he had suffered severe internal injuries, suggesting a serious sexual assault and may have been asphyxiated.

The coroner at his inquest ruled that the cause of death was "unascertainable".

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Barrymore has always insisted that no assault took place at his home and that any injury could only have been caused later on in hospital.

The latest discovery of blood could lead to the star and the two other men being questioned again.

Mr Lubbock's father Terry said: "This is very exciting and significant but I cannot disclose anything that has been said to me in confidence by the police."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specific details of out witnesses.

"The current status of the case is that the investigation remains ongoing and we recently felt it timely to provide a status update in a report to the coroner."