New drug to help brittle bone victims

WOMEN with crippling bone disease osteoporosis were given new hope last night as a Government watchdog prepared to approve a new drug.

Romosozumab, also known as Evenity, has been hailed as the first major breakthrough in the treatment of the debilitating bone-thinning condition linked to fractures in one in three women aged over 50.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is expected to approve it for patients at high risk of fracture.

Expert Prof David Reid said: “It will likely be a significant advance over current drugs.”

THE father of the man found dead at Michael Barrymore’s home has asked the Attorney General to order a second inquest into the case.

His plea comes after the detective reinvestigating the unsolved crime told a police press conference: “I believe very much that Stuart Lubbock was raped and murdered.”

Father-of-two Mr Lubbock, 31, was a party guest at the TV star’s house in Roydon, Essex. A post mortem examination after his body was found in the pool

HOST Michael Barrymore in the early hours of March 31, 2001, revealed he had significant injuries. His inquest in 2002 recorded an open verdict. To approve another hearing, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox must be satisfied there is significant new evidence unavailable to the first one.

An application on behalf of the victim’s dad Terry was sent to Mr Cox last Thursday, the day Channel 4 aired Barrymore: The Body in the Pool.

Before the programme Det Ch

Insp Stephen Jennings, now heading the investigation, told the press conference: “One or more of the eight people at this party are responsible for Stuart’s death.”

Mr Lubbock senior said: “I welcome this significant change. I just hope this is enough to get a new inquest.

“We need to get a verdict that Stuart was unlawfully killed. Then I want to see charges.”

His application refers

FIGHT Dad Terry. Above, Stuart to an “overwhelming probability” his son was murdered and “strong grounds to think an elaborate cover-up took place”.

It says if that is the case and the open verdict is allowed to stand, “then clearly justice has not been done”. Essex Police said they are now investigating new leads in the case after a successful appeal for further information.

Mr Barrymore did not respond to interview requests but before the documentary went online

to stress his innocence.