A FAMILY is facing a tense wait as British police prepare to fly to the Bahamas to review their son's death.

Paul and Andrea Gallagher, of Repton Road, Orpington, have welcomed the news two senior Metropolitan Police detectives are to review their son Paul's death with the Bahamian authorities.

But the couple, who are also parents to four-year-old Andrew and eight-year-old Heather, say they are "concerned and anxious"

because they will not meet the officers before they leave.

The officers are due to fly to Paradise Island where two-year-old Paul was killed after being struck by a speedboat.

But they will not have any contact with the family before they go.

Mr Gallagher, 41, said: "I think it is crucial they meet the family because there are so many people involved at so many levels.

"They need to know what they are going to face over there.

"Ever since Paul died all we have had from the Bahamian authorities is a lack of co-operation and missing evidence."

He added: "I have serious reservations crucial information will be witheld and we just want to meet them so they are aware of what they are up against."

Although the family will not meet the detectives before they leave at the end of May for the two-week trip, they are due to meet a staff officer from the force to discuss their concerns.

Mr Gallagher added: "The Met are probably the finest force in the world and they have been in many situations where people do not want them there.

"We have been told they will not be going there purely to look at papers and then come back but we are very anxious they do not miss anything."

He added: "I realise the Met cannot be seen as biased or in any way influenced by us but you would think they would want as much information as possible."

BRITISH POLICE ABROAD

DEATHS abroad are usually the responsibility of the country in which it occurs, but British police do become involved in certain circumstances.

British police have assisted investigations in The Bahamas previously, including: The death of British schoolteacher Carol Leach on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. The 37-year-old was found murdered in her home in September 1997.

The murder of Joanne Clarke, aged 24, in September 1998. The graduate from Banbury, Oxon, was found dead on a beach in Paradise Island.

Both murders remain unsolved.