Family of murdered spy in shock over lurid claims of double life

The family of a murdered British spy were reported to be in a "state of shock" yesterday as lurid claims emerged about his private life.

Scotland Yard detectives are continuing to investigate whether GCHQ codes expert Gareth Williams, 30, lived a double life.

The maths genius, who was on secondment to MI6, was found dead in a sports holdall in the bath of his Government flat on Monday.

Investigators have begun picking through his private life, amid claims he has been linked to a male escort, and bondage equipment was found in his home.

Sources close to the investigation suggested these latest claims were not true, raising questions about where they came from.

Relative William Hughes, 62, a councillor on Anglesey, said there was no evidence that the allegations were correct.

Mr Hughes, a cousin of Mr Williams' mother, Ellen, said: "I have spoken to Gareth's parents and they are not doing well at all. They are in a state of shock and struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

"They have seen what has been in the papers and they are very, very upset about these untruths. I don't see any evidence of it.

"It never crossed my mind that Gareth was that sort of person. He left home at a young age and what happened in his private life was his business.

"When you have these rumours in the papers, it is most distressing," Mr Hughes said.

"It is heartbreaking that he has died so young and his family have enough on their plate without having to read these stories."