Mexico promises justice for Kirsty MacColl

The Mexican government promised justice for British pop singer Kirsty MacColl today the night after U2 dedicated a song to her in a concert in the Mexican city of Monterrey.

Ruben Aguilar, spokesman for President Vicente Fox, said that federal investigators will soon resolve the case of MacColl, who was killed by a power boat whilst scuba diving in the Caribbean resort of Cozumel in December 2000.

“The investigation has to offer results,” Aguilar said in a news conference.

“The federal government is following this situation.”

The daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl, she is best known for her 1987 Christmas hit with The Pogues, Fairytale of New York, and the hit single There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis.

Her first solo release was They Don’t Know, in 1979 which failed to reach the charts, but became a hit some years later when it was covered by Tracey Ullman.

MacColl’s other hits include a cover of Billy Bragg’s song A New England, and a version of The Kinks’ track Days.

She also sang backing vocals for acts including Talking Heads, Simple Minds and Robert Plant.

Her last album, Tropical Brainstorm, was a tribute to Cuban music, which had influenced her throughout the 1990s.