Javid’s brother ‘drowned at 5-star hotel after taking painkillers and alcohol’
HOME Secretary Sajid Javid’s eldest brother was found drowned in a room at a five-star hotel after taking painkillers and drinking alcohol, an inquest heard.
Supermarket chain boss Tariq Javid, 52, died at the South Lodge Hotel in Horsham, West Sussex, just minutes from his home.
A post-mortem examination revealed yesterday that he died from a combination of drowning, alcohol and codeine toxicity and heart disease.
West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield yesterday described it as an ‘unnatural death’ and ordered a full inquest to be held next year.
Tariq was one of the Home Secretary’s four siblings – who have been hailed as ‘power brothers’ due to their rags-to-riches life stories.
Mr Javid’s official spokesman announced the death last month, saying: ‘I am very sad to confirm that Sajid lost his eldest brother Tariq, who will be sorely missed by the whole family.
‘He would like to extend his thanks to the many people sending their condolences and good wishes. He would also ask that his privacy and that of his family, be respected at this time of grief.’
Tariq Javid was found by police on July 29 in his room at the exclusive country house hotel, where suites cost up to £600 a night.
Officers were called at 5.10pm to help paramedics who were treating him but he died at the hotel, a Sussex Police spokesman said.
Mr Javid, who was born in Rochdale in June 1966 and lived in Horsham, was identified by his brother Basit, the West Sussex Coroner’s Court hearing in Crawley was told yesterday. His death is not being treated as suspicious and police are not investigating further.
The hearing did not hear details about why Mr Javid was staying at the hotel, which is set in 93 acres of parkland and hosted the G20 summit in 2009.
The hearing was adjourned until January 15 next year, when a full inquest will take place.
Tariq, who was the eldest out of the five boys – Sajid, Khalid, Basit and Atif – managed a supermarket chain. His flair for retail was perhaps inspired by his father AbdulGhani Javid who owned a clothes shop in Bristol.
The Home Secretary has previously spoken of growing up with his brothers in a cramped twobedroom flat in the city, saying: ‘Three brothers were in one bedroom, and myself and a younger brother were with my parents in the other.’
Despite the siblings’ difficult start in life, all five brothers were successful in their respective fields.
Sajid Javid is the first non-white person to hold one of Britain’s top offices of state. Basit is a police chief superintendent, Khalid is a financial adviser and Atif is a property tycoon.