Inquest told brother of home sec drowned at top hotel

THE Home Secretary’s eldest brother - originally from Rochdale drowned at a five-star hotel, an inquest has heard.

Sajid Javid’s brother Tariq, born in the town, was found by police on July 29 in his room at the South Lodge Hotel country house in Lower Beeding, near Horsham.

Officers were called at 5.10pm to help paramedics who were treating the guest - but he died at the hotel, a Sussex Police spokesman said previously.

Alcohol, pain killers and heart disease also ●●The Tariq Javid, brother of Home Secretary Sajid Javid (inset), was found dead in his room at the five-star South Lodge Hotel, near Horsham in West Sussex played a part in his death - according to preliminary findings, West Sussex Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday when his inquest was opened.

The 52-year-old retail assistant, born in June 1966 and lived in Horsham, was identified by his brother Basit, the hearing in Crawley was told.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and police are not investigating further.

Last month, a spokesman for the 48-year-old Home Secretary confirmed his brother’s death and said he would be “sorely missed by the whole family”, adding: “[Sajid] 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.”

The family lived in Rochdale before moving to Bristol.

Drowning, acute ethanol toxicity, coronary artery atherosclerosis, idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy, and codeine toxicity was the recorded cause of death on July 31 at Worthing Hospital, the inquest heard. Senior coroner Penelope Schofield said: “I am satisfied this was an unnatural death and the matter needs to proceed to inquest.”

She adjourned the hearing until January 15 next year when a full inquest will take place at 10.45am.

The luxury hotel hosted the G20 summit in 2009 which saw finance ministers from the world’s biggest economies in attendance.

Set in 93 acres of parkland, the Victorian property was a favourite with Sir Winston Churchill, according to promotional material.