Woolmer police chief heads home for a break

Mark Shields, Deputy Commissioner of the island's constabulary, insists he cannot change his plans for the break.

However, his decision to relinquish hands-on control of the case amid fears evidence may have been missed or misinterpreted - and that the Pakistan cricket coach might even have died of natural causes - will leave him open to criticism.

His holiday is already being compared to the break taken by Cambridge Chief Constable Tom Lloyd, who went to France during the Soham investigation while a huge hunt was under way for the two missing girls.

Mr Shields is scheduled to make the nine-hour journey to London on Thursday. This will give him just two clear days to liaise with Detective Superintendent John Sweeney and his three-man team from Scotland Yard's Specialist Crime Directorate, who are due to arrive late today.

Mr Sweeney, who is leading the reopened investigation into the murder of PC Keith Blakelock in the Broadwater Farm riot in 1985, will be assisted by two detectives and a scene-of-crimes expert.

He has been asked to review every aspect of the inquiry, including forensic and CCTV evidence, witness statements and the pathology report stating the cricket coach died from asphyxiation after being 'manually strangled'.

Mr Shields has said from the outset that he might need outside help.

Mr Sweeney is expected to adopt a low-key approach to the investigation, in contrast to that of garrulous, camera-loving Mr Shields, 48.

The second-in-command of Jamaica's police enjoys a celebrity lifestyle, living in an exclusive gated community and rubbing shoulders with politicians, business chiefs and media stars.

Five days before Mr Woolmer died, the highly-influential Gleaner newspaper ran a photograph of Mr Shields lazing on the grass at a cricket match, beer in hand. The caption read: "Here is Mark Shields fighting crime - one cricket match at a time."

However, he has won the respect of colleagues for his dedication and courage. The officer will fly home to visit his son and daughter, who live in a three-storey, £650,000 house in the Suffolk countryside with his exwife Julia.

Explaining his trip home, he said: "Don't read anything into it. I had always planned to see my kids over the Easter holidays, and that is set in stone. I won't change it for anything."

There are suggestions that Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller may be losing patience with the lack of progress in the investigation.

The case has heaped embarrassment on the country, at the very time when the island had hoped to boost its image - and tourism revenue - as one of the nations hosting the World Cup.

Christians and Muslims in Pakistan have been observing a minute's silence for Mr Woolmer.

Some 200 mourners, including cricketers and officials, attended the service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the eastern city of Lahore.

"God rest you, Bob, God rest you, and until we meet again, goodbye," said Reverend Lawrence Saldanha, the Catholic archbishop of Lahore, who led the prayers.