Scarlett witness 'kept in India'

Michael Mannion says he needs to return to London

A man who has given a police statement about the rape and murder of Briton Scarlett Keeling in India says he is being blocked from returning to the UK.

Londoner Michael Mannion has been placed on a "look out circular", issued to all ports and which prevents him leaving, his lawyer Vikram Varma said.

Mr Mannion said he needed to return and was "depressed" by the situation.

He has told police he saw a suspect with Scarlett, from Bideford, Devon, hours before her death in February.

'Stopped'

Scarlett, 15, was found dead on Anjuna beach, Goa, on 19 February.

Police initially said she had drowned, but a murder investigation was later opened and the investigation taken over by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Mr Mannion said: "I've been placed on a look out circular.

"If I try to leave the country I'm stopped and sent back.

"I understand the need to follow the investigation thoroughly and I've been willing to help, but if this is the way witnesses are treated it could dissuade other people from coming forward."

He said that he needed to return to the UK to care for his father, who is unwell.

"It's causing immense stress on my family and personally I'm becoming a bit depressed by the whole thing," Mr Mannion added.