MacColl speedboat inquiry reopens

Singer Kirsty MacColl had four UK top 20 hits

The inquiry into the death of singer Kirsty MacColl, who died when she was hit by a speedboat while diving four years ago, has been reopened in Mexico.

Private investigators hired by MacColl's mother Jean Newlove say they have new evidence that disputes who was driving the boat off Cozumel island.

Deckhand Juan Jose Cem Yam was found guilty of culpable homicide in 2003.

"We don't believe for one moment that he was driving the boat," Ms Newlove told BBC's 6 Music.

Continued struggle

"The federal prosecutors will decide if there's sufficient evidence to re-open the case. It'll be new evidence based on people who were there at the time, who were witnesses. All I'm asking is justice for Kirsty," said Ms Newlove.

Mr Cem Yam was fined £61 by a Mexican court after being found guilty of negligent homicide in March last year.

Jean Newlove is still campaigning on her daughter's behalf

He was also ordered to pay £1,450 in damages to MacColl's two sons, Jamie and Louis, who witnessed her death.

Ms Newlove said at the time that she and her family were "flabbergasted" at the sentence.

"It has never been about getting money, you cannot put a value on human life, but a £61 fine has shocked everyone," she said.

The daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl, Kirsty was best known for her 1987 Christmas hit with The Pogues, Fairytale of New York, and the single There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis.

MacColl's other hits include a cover of Billy Bragg's song A New England, and a version of The Kinks' track, Days.

A one-hour BBC documentary, titled Justice For Kirsty, will be featured in the Edinburgh Television Festival on 27 and 28 August.