Michael Barrymore and his seven pool party guests STILL linked to the rape and murder of Stuart Lubbock, cops reveal
MICHAEL Barrymore and his seven pool party guests are still being linked to the rape and murder of Stuart Lubbock.
Cops said they were now investigating a “cover-up” and none could be ruled out of their investigation.
Despite several arrests, no criminal charges have been brought over the death of Stuart, 31, at Barrymore’s mansion in 2001.
A £20,000 reward has been put up for information - after cops blasted the “lies” spun over the past 19 years.
Stuart’s dad Terry Lubbock, 75, said today: "I would say to Michael it is time now, I think you know Michael, you know more about this than you said.
“The focus now will be on you, it’s time now for you to either clear your name or put your hands up to what happened.
“You must know, I’m absolutely sure, I know you are involved in this.
“There were reports about him not being there at that particularly time and he has insisted that he doesn’t know.
“I’m absolutely sure he knows 100 per cent.”
'IT IS TIME NOW'
Barrymore, his ex-lover Jonathan Kenney, and dustman Justin Merritt were all previously arrested over the death before being released without charge.
A source said one of those held the key to unlocking the case — and cops hoped to tempt them forward with the reward.
According to witness statements, they had been outside in a hot tub with Stuart, who was high on drink and drugs.
All three re-entered the house when police were called to reports of a drowning in the swimming pool, witnesses said.
But DCI Jennings yesterday said “someone is lying” as he pointed to “differences” in their accounts.
Ahead of a Channel 4 documentary on the case this week, investigators were yesterday looking into the possibility Stuart’s murder was “covered up”.
A swimming pool thermometer from the hot tub — which could have been used in a sex assault on the victim — later went missing.
A broken shed handle, seen by officers, also disappeared and was not found in any bins at the property in Roydon.
Cops said the brutality of the sex assault would match one or both of the objects.
A 2002 inquest heard that Barrymore’s then-PA Michael Browne was called to the house.
Police yesterday said other unnamed men “close to Barrymore” were also allowed in — giving the perfect opportunity to clean up the scene.
DCI Jennings said: "One line of inquiry has to be that this could have been a cover-up.
'WE WILL CATCH THEM'
“But there is a chance whoever did this just got lucky and no evidence was left at the scene.”
He added: “Let me be clear — I believe Stuart Lubbock was murdered. And we will catch whoever did it.
“I don’t think there’s anyone else there — realistically — other than the eight people that were there on the night. Of the people arrested, no one has been eliminated from inquiries. We believe at least one person is responsible — but it could be two or more.
“I can’t rule out a single individual being responsible — but on balance of probability there was more than likely more than one person involved.”
Police issued a £20,000 appeal yesterday for information leading to an arrest and conviction. But they admitted it was targeted at the guests and anyone they might have told.
'THE PENNY HAS DROPPED'
DCI Jennings said: “People get married, they have children, they settle down — the way they look at things can change. Loyalties can change.
"This is an awful lot to carry around for all those years. Hopefully someone will do the right thing.”
Other guests were Justin’s sister Kylie and chef James Futers, plus hangers-on Simon Shaw, Claire Jones, then 17, and Kelly Campbell.
Stuart’s dad Terry added: “I think the people there at Michael Barrymore’s home that day and night — this thing hasn’t gone away, it won’t go away.
“Even the people not directly involved in this must be starting to feel very uneasy. The penny has dropped now.
"It is time for people to come forward, whether they were directly involved or indirectly.”
The 2002 inquest recorded an open verdict after failing to conclude what caused Stuart’s death.
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A post-mortem revealed the meat packer had ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol in his system.
Ex-Strike It Lucky host Barrymore, 67, has always denied involvement.
From earning £2million a year, his career collapsed and he now lives modestly in a West London flat.
- ANYONE with information about Stuart’s death can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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