Meredith Kercher family welcome Amanda Knox retrial decision

Knox and Sollecito will face a retrial over death of British student

(AP)

The family of murdered British student Meredith Kercher today welcomed the news that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito will face a retrial over her death.

The body of Leeds University student Miss Kercher, 21, was found in November 2007 in her bedroom at the house she shared with Miss Knox in the Italian university town of Perugia.

Prosecutors had claimed that Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was the victim of a drug-fuelled sex game gone awry.

Miss Knox, now 25, and her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 29 , were initially convicted of the crime and were given long prison sentences.

However, in October 2011 the pair were acquitted after the defence challenged the veracity of DNA evidence.

Today Miss Kercher's older sister Stephanie Kercher said her family welcomed the court ruling.

She told Sky News there were "still questions that are unanswered and we are all looking to find out the truth".

She added: "We welcome the decision that a retrial has been ordered and are pleased it is a step forward to finding an answer to some of those questions."

Speaking from her Surrey home she said, "There are a lot of unanswered questions still. We are very hopeful that it going back to court will help find those answers and find out the truth of what happened that night.

"Whilst we are not happy about going back to court, and it will not bring her back, we have to make sure we have done all we can for her.

"We still have a long journey ahead and we are very grateful for the support of the public and in Italy - we just want justice for Mez."

Italian law cannot compel Amanda Knox to return to the country for a fresh trial. She could be found in contempt of court but that carries no additional penalties.

It is unclear what would happen if she was convicted following a new appeal.