Pakistan outrage over Woolmer investigation

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Pakistan's World Cup media manager has expressed his fury following reports that Bob Woolmer was not murdered.

Jamaican police are studying "new material" and were expected to make a statement on their findings shortly.

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PJ Mir, the team's spokesman during their ill-fated stay in the Caribbean, has always maintained his belief that their head coach died of natural causes.

After weeks of speculation, it was today claimed that the police are poised to reveal Scotland Yard have contradicted the original pathology report into the 58-year-old's death.

Mir, who says he was the third person from the Pakistan team management to see Woolmer's body on the floor of his room at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, told Sky Sports News: "What amazes me is, where on earth did the hint of murder come in?"

"We saw Bob lying on the floor there.

"There was no sign of violence.

"All of a sudden, the strangulation theory, the poison theory - all kinds of theories.

"It all started within a day.

"I want to know, where did all these theories come from, particularly the theory of murder?

"I think it's deplorable how it's all been handled."

Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room on March 18 and, four days later, it was announced by Jamaica's deputy police commissioner Mark Shields that the former England Test cricketer had been murdered.

Mir claims Jamaican police spokesman Carl Angel is "on the record" saying Woolmer died of natural causes.

He added: "He is also on record saying 'we think he died of hypertension'.

"The police themselves are saying he died of hypertension and the next two or three hours it changes.

"It is fascinating how all this has been handled by pathologists or by the Jamaican police.

"Never in a million years could I even think that anyone from the Pakistan team could have been involved.

"There was so much insinuation, so much name-calling, finger-pointing.

"I'm afraid the Jamaican police will now be held responsible, and pathologists, for creating mistrust and distrust about the cricketing fraternity."

Mir demanded a "public apology" from Jamaican police for what would amount to a bungled inquiry if today's reports are confirmed.

He also said he would be recommending that the Pakistan Cricket Board take legal action over the matter.

"I will be recommending to the chairman of the board to take necessary legal action," he said.

"The Jamaican police and the people concerned with this inquiry [should] come up and issue a formal apology to the Pakistan team, to the Zimbabwean team, to the Irish team and to the West Indian team, who were all staying at the hotel."

 

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