Judge rules out private prosecution against Barrymore

A judge in Britain has refused to allow the family of the man found dead in Michael Barrymore's swimming poor to take a private prosecution against the former TV presenter.

Stuart Lubbock's family wanted to prosecute Mr Barrymore over an alleged assault on the 31-year-old, whose body was found in the entertainer's swimming pool during a party five years ago.

The Lubbocks also wanted to bring other charges accusing Mr Barrymore of drugs offences and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

However, their lawyer said today that a judge had ruled in private session that the action could not go ahead as there was insufficient evidence.