Goa police seek 'crucial' witness

Scarlett was last seen alive at a beach bar

Goan police are looking for a Briton who could have crucial evidence about the death of a British teenager.

Scarlett Keeling, 15, was found dead on a beach in Anjuna last month. Police said Scarlett had drowned, but a man has now been charged with rape.

Officers want to speak to the potential witness, although it is not known whether he is still in the country.

Earlier it was confirmed Goan authorities would not investigate Scarlett's mother for neglect.

Fiona MacKeown left her daughter in Goa while she travelled to another part of India.

Previously the 43-year-old told BBC News a British man, who may have vital information, had left the area amid fears for his own safety.

"I hope he'll do the right thing and help us," she said.

Ms MacKeown has asked the Indian prime minister to help her find out the truth about her daughter's death.

She was with somebody who was a very caring person who treated her like a niece Fiona MacKeown

Ms MacKeown, who lives near Bideford in Devon, has now written to Dr Manmohan Singh to ask for his help, saying she has no faith in the local police.

In the letter she said: "I am certain they will try their best to implicate somebody to treat this crime in isolation, while ignoring the larger and more important matter of this criminal nexus.

"My daughter has been murdered and nothing will bring her back to life.

"Your timely intervention now would ensure the tourists coming here and the people of Goa retain their faith in the state and administration."

Ms MacKeown had left her daughter in the care of a 25-year-old tour guide while she and her other children went to the neighbouring state of Karnataka.

The chief minister of Goa denied reports that he had called for Ms MacKeown to be investigated for possible neglect, saying that was up to the police.

Digambar Kamat said that in his opinion, tourists visiting India had to be responsible and careful for their own safety.

Asked if he believed Ms MacKeown was negligent, Mr Kamat replied: "No, because the police officers will have to investigate the case and decide if they want to investigate that."

'Wonderful education'

Ms MacKeown said: "She was with somebody who was a very caring person who treated her like a niece.

"She wasn't left. She regularly joined us down the coast at other beaches we were camping on."

Ms MacKeown also defended the fact Scarlett had not been in school, saying her daughter was receiving a "wonderful education" in the beautiful country of India.

Samson D'Souza, a local 29-year-old man, has been charged with rape but not with Miss Keeling's killing.

He appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody for 14 days.