Barrymore must face inquest into drowning death at his home

Michael Barrymore will give evidence in public later this year about the death of a man found floating in a swimming pool at his luxury home, it was announced yesterday.

Caroline Beasley-Murray, the Essex coroner, said the 49-year-old entertainer would have to testify at Stuart Lubbock's inquest following a preliminary hearing at Chelms- ford coroner's court. Mr Lubbock, a 31-year-old father of two, had been invited to a party at Barrymore's home in Roydon, near Harlow, Essex, on 30 March last year.

A post-mortem examination indicated that he had drowned. Detectives later questioned three men present at the party, including Barrymore. Police brought no charges but Barrymore – one of ITV's biggest stars – was cautioned for drugs offences.

At a half-hour hearing attended by Mr Lubbock's family yesterday, Mrs Beasley- Murray said the inquest would be "full and fair" but would not shy away from the sensitive subject of "various people's" private lives.

"I'm very conscious that this inquest is the investigation into a death and not into various people's social and sexual activities," she said.

"However, where necessary, such matters will be touched upon, and it will be a matter for me to constantly consider the parameters of the inquiry."

Police said Mr Lubbock, a butcher from Harlow, had spent the evening of 30 March at a nightclub in the town and returned to Barrymore's home in a taxi with the star and a number of other men.

In the following weeks, Barrymore was arrested on suspicion of possession and supply of class-B drugs, possession of a class-A drug, and allowing premises to be used for taking class-B drugs. John Kenney, 31, and Justin Merritt, 26, were arrested in connection with Mr Lubbock's death but neither was charged.

Michael Mansfield QC is expected to represent the quiz show host at the inquest, which will be held in the autumn.

At yesterday's hearing, Mrs Beasley-Murray expressed her sympathy for Mr Lubbock's family, telling them: "I fully appreciate you have had to undergo considerable stress under a climate of intense media interest."