MOTHER: I KNOW WHO KILLED SCARLETT

Fiona MacKeown claimed the authorities have tried to cover up what happened to her daughter because the man responsible was a "powerful person" with money and connections in Goa.

She made the claims after flying back into Britain from India where she has spent nine days searching for answers to what happened to Scarlett whose half-naked body was found on Anjuna Beach, where she was on holiday, on February 19.

Mrs MacKeown said a number of locals had named the man and his group to her and she had passed the information on to investigators from the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who are due to take over the case.

The 43-year-old, from Bradworthy, north Devon, claims that links between police officials, politicians and the drugs mafia have hampered a proper investigation into her daughter's death.

She said that she hoped the CBI would invite Scotland Yard to become involved in the investigation in a bid to bring Scarlett's killers to justice.

Mrs MacKeown said: "We have had confirmation that a certain person is involved. He is a powerful person with money.

"I am waiting for the CBI inquiry to start and I will tell them everything I know. It would explain a lot - why the police have tried to cover it up.

"I was approached by many people who told me this man's name. It is common knowledge out there it seems.

"People are saying that they have had enough of him and his group and they want something done about it."