UK police quash bondage stories

Police took the unusual decision yesterday to step in and deny increasingly lurid reports about the private life of murdered intelligence officer Gareth Williams.

Scotland Yard sources said reports of bondage equipment found at his flat and a "ritualistic" arrangement of his possessions were untrue. A spokesman later said the team of detectives investigating the death had clarified the accuracy of the reports "out of respect" for Williams' relatives.

William's body was found stuffed into a holdall in the bathroom at his home in Pimlico, central London, last week. Since the discovery suggestions regarding his private life and sexual tendencies have been rife.

Reports included the suggestion that the 30-year-old GCHQ officer was, variously, a male escort or a transvestite; that bondage equipment had been found at his flat; and that a dozen mobile phone SIM cards had been laid out in a ritualistic manner in his home.

His family said they feared there was a smear campaign. Williams' uncle told newspapers: "The family are concerned it may have been an attempt to put false, unkind details about Gareth's private life into the public domain to diminish him and take attention away from the security services he worked so loyally for."

All police have previously confirmed is that they are investigating a "suspicious death" - preferring that term to murder - and that the last known sighting of Williams was in London on Sunday, August 15, eight days before his body was found.

Initial reports said he had not been seen for a fortnight.

His body was discovered when police were called to check on him after a colleague voiced concerns.

Those scant details aside, little is known about precisely when, why or how Williams died.

As is usual in such cases, police have not confirmed any potential motive they are investigating.

Police are also said to be investigating payments and withdrawals of thousands of pounds into and out of Williams' bank account in the days leading up to his death.

- INDEPENDENT