UKPA : Spy inquest sees video of flat

Spy inquest sees video of flat

April 24, 2012

Dramatic footage of a red holdall bulging with the curled-up body of MI6 spy Gareth Williams, who was found dead in London, has been played to an inquest.

Video of the immaculately kept flat at the centre of his death riddle was played for the first time after his parents walked out on proceedings.

Police images of the death scene also showed a cutting from the Observer newspaper headlined "top five regrets of the dying".

Forensic scene recordings were played after the detective in charge said she allowed a counter-terror officer into the crime scene.

Mr Williams's sister, Ceri Subbe, sat in the hearing without her parents as images showed the scene which greeted detectives as they arrived at his flat on August 23, 2010.

The video took the inquest on a walking tour of his Pimlico home - showing a red woman's wig, lipstick and make-up - in the condition that it was found.

Footage showed close-up images of the white bathroom suite where Mr Williams's body was found. The film zoomed in on the red North Face bag, showing bulges from his limbs inside, and a brass padlock locking two zips together from the outside.

Detectives found the Observer article detailing regrets of the dying in the living room near a book by Alan Warner and some of Mr Williams's own paintings.

There was no sign of a break-in at the flat with footage showing Mr Williams had left cash in a cupboard and a mobile phone on the living room table.

Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire said there was little clutter and mess in the flat except for a dressing gown and quilt discarded on the bedroom floor. Ms Sebire said: "I also found it difficult to explain because of his general tidyness. In my opinion it was not something that was easily explainable."

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