Deportee death probe proves inconclusive

TESTS to find out how an Angolan man died while being deported from the UK have proved inconclusive.

Jimy Mubenga, 46, collapsed on a plane at Heathrow airport as he waited to be taken back to his homeland earlier this week.

Eyewitnesses said he was held down by security guards on the aircraft and had complained of breathing difficulties.

The Metropolitan Police yesterday confirmed their homicide unit had taken command of the investigation after it was initially dealt with by officers from Heathrow CID. The Home Office said they couldn't comment on claims that Mubenga had been restrained before his death.

The chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Labour's Keith Vaz, has said he will write to Home Secretary Theresa May. He said: "The use of excessive force in deportations is dangerous and unacceptable. If as eyewitness reports suggest, Mr Mubenga was complaining of breathing difficulties, questions must be asked as to why help was not called for sooner."

Further tests will now take place to establish how Mubenga died.