Barrymore demands damages from police

MICHAEL BARRYMORE should get substantial damages from Essex Police over the wrongful arrest which destroyed his career, his lawyer has told the High Court.

The entertainer, 65, was arrested and detained in June 2007 on suspicion of the rape and murder of 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock, who was found in the swimming pool at his Roydon home six years before.

Essex Police has now admitted the arrest was unlawful, as the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to suspect that Mr Barrymore was guilty. But police claim the comedian could have been lawfully arrested by another officer and so is only entitled to nominal damages. Mr Barrymore’s claim, including aggravated and exemplary damages, is in excess of £2.4 million.

Hugh Tomlinson QC, representing Mr Barrymore, said: “This arrest was made without any proper evidential foundation. However, the fact that it had happened, and the worldwide publicity it received, destroyed the claimant’s career.”

Mr Barrymore is not due to give evidence during the five-day hearing, which continues today.