Appeal to PM after death of son

Jerry Duggan had been studying in Paris

The mother of a student who died in Germany is calling on Gordon Brown to order UK police to investigate, on the fifth anniversary of his death.

Jeremiah Duggan, 22, from Golders Green, north London, was found dead on a motorway in Wiesbaden in March 2003.

German police decided he had committed suicide but his mother believes he was attacked after attending a rally.

The Foreign Office said UK police had no remit to investigate incidents in other countries.

Head injuries

Mr Duggan had travelled to Wiesbaden from Paris - where he was studying - to attend what he believed was an anti-war rally.

Hornsey coroner Dr William Dolman said he was unable from the outset to accept the conclusion by the German authorities that Jerry had intended to take his own life.

He recorded a narrative verdict, saying the student had received fatal head injuries when he ran into the road and was hit.

Erica Duggan said: "I have had five years of trying to find out what happened to my son.

"I have done everything possible. I have followed the law. I have had private investigators and I have tried to do the work of the police because they would not do that work."

"I have written a personal letter to Gordon Brown, which will be made public next week, asking him to intervene on our behalf to ensure that the British police become involved and support our desire for a full investigation both here and in Germany."

A petition on the family's website calling for further investigation into the death will be presented to the Prime Minister by two Labour MPs. It has attracted more than 400 signatures in three days.