Barrymore will face inquiry into claims of perjury

Michael Barrymore is to be the subject of a police investigation into allegations that he committed perjury during the inquest into the death of a young partygoer in his swimming pool last year. Essex Police is checking a transcript of the hearing, other material from the media and its own inquiry.

Mr Barrymore, once one of Britain's highest-paid television hosts, could face seven years in jail if found guilty. Stuart Lubbock, a 31-year-old meat factory worker, was found dead at the entertainer's Essex home 18 months ago. Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were in his system and some pathologists said he had severe injuries consistent with sexual assault. An open verdict was recorded after partygoers said they had not heard or seen anything to explain Mr Lubbock's injuries or death.

At the inquest, the entertainer refused to answer questions concerning drugs but denied rubbing cocaine into Mr Lubbock's gums. He said he could not swim but ran to get help when Mr Lubbock was found.

Mr Barrymore's former wife, Cheryl, from whom he was divorced after he revealed he was homosexual, made allegations at the weekend in a newspaper article. She claimed he was able to swim. And she said he had rubbed cocaine into the gums of others before as well as his own.

The Essex and Thurrock coroner, Caroline Beasley-Murray, referred the case to police.

Yesterday the BBC gave in to growing pressure and halted plans to publish Mr Barrymore's memoirs. The autobiography, was to have contained details of the case of Mr Lubbock.