MP calls for Caribbean trial help

Mr Fetherston's coffin was draped in a union flag

An MP is calling for government help to bring to trial a man accused of murdering a millionaire from Suffolk who died during a Caribbean holiday.

Tony Fetherston, 67, who lived near Woodbridge, was shot dead at his luxury holiday home in St Kitts three years ago.

Local painter Joseph Hazel has been awaiting trial in the Caribbean ever since.

But the trial has been delayed several times because the authorities in St Kitts cannot afford to pay for forensic experts to be flown from Britain.

Now former cabinet minister John Gummer, Suffolk Coastal MP, is calling on the UK Government to help cover the costs.

Mr Fetherston's coffin was draped in a union flag

He said it was in everyone's best interest that the trial goes ahead speedily.

"The trouble is that St Kitts is a very poor island and it can't afford the sort of costs necessary to deal with DNA evidence," he said.

"I'm trying to find ways in which we can help so that justice can be done."

Mr Fetherston, an ex-World War II fighter pilot, had retired from the freight shipping business he ran in Suffolk and was on holiday on St Kitts when he was murdered in January 2000.