THE family of a toddler killed by an out-of-control speedboat say plans by the Bahamian Government to bring in new watersports laws are "a load of rubbish".

Two-year-old Paul Gallagher was struck by an unlicensed and uninsured speedboat while he slept in a deckchair on a beach in the Bahamas during the summer of 2002.

The boat, which had been towing an inflatable banana, mounted the beach after its driver put it into full throttle and fell backwards, losing control of the 200bhp craft.

The boat's propellor struck baby Paul's head, causing fatal injuries.

But nearly four years on from the tragedy, no-one has been prosecuted for his death.

Following confirmation the tragedy is to be reviewed in a joint investigation between British and Bahamian police, the Gallagher family say news of tighter watersports legislation is "pointless".

Paul Gallagher, of Repton Road, Orpington, said: "I do not believe one word Bahamians official say.

"It sounds very good but it seems remarkably strange this should only happen now the Met Police are going over."

He added: "It makes no difference to me whatsoever.

"When little Paul died there was already legislation. They already had laws which meant you had to be licensed, registered and insured. All they had to do was abide by those rules.

"The Bahamian Government is paying lip service. It will mean nothing to the criminals who continue to operate regardless."

A spokesman for the Bahamas tourist office said: "A commercial watersports Bill will be introduced to Parliament.

"The Bahamas Government has a commitment to the modernisation of legislation governing maritime affairs."

The spokesman was unable to expand on the specifics of the proposed legislation, but added: "The Bill will provide regulatory oversight for commercial watersports activity in the Bahamas."

Two weeks ago, the Gallagher family, accompanied by Orpington MP John Horam, were snubbed as they tried to deliver 1,000 signatures of support for News Shopper's Justice for Paul campaign to the Bahamian High Commission in London.



CAMPAIGN TRAIL

THE News Shopper campaign for Justice for Paul is picking up speed with several national newspapers, television stations and radio stations all publicising the toddler's tragic story:
April 7: The family are interviewed by ITV's London Tonight news programme.

April 7: The Sun run a double page spread on the Gallagher's progress in their fight for justice.

April 7: Mrs Gallagher appears as a guest on the Nick Ferrari breakfast show to discuss the ongoing case.

April 12: The family appears on This Morning with hosts Fern Britton and John Barrowman to discuss the news Met Police officers will fly to the Bahamas to begin the joint review into their son's death at the end of May.