THE widow of murdered businessman Richard Watson clashed with police at an inquest into his death.

Linda Watson, 43, demanded full details of the police actions after Mr Watson's shooting at his home in East Grinstead should be recorded in public.

But West Sussex coroner Roger Stone told her he must adjourn the hearing because of the continuing police inquiries into the death of 55-year-old Mr Watson at his East Grinstead home.

Mrs Watson told the Haywards Heath hearing: "There should be full inquiry and that it what I am pushing for."

Mr Stone said: "I don't think it is within my authority to widen this inquest into an inquiry about the activities of the police.

"I firmly believe that events that happen after the death are outside the scope of the inquiry. If there is a complaint about the way the matter has been handled it is a matter for someone else, not myself."

Police told the hearing they hope to finish their current murder investigations in a few months.

But Mrs Watson turned on Det Inspector Nick Siggs, who told the hearing that one fingerprint in particular was now being investigated and more time was needed. She said: "Can you please explain to me the delay?"

Det Inspector Siggs told her that the fingerprint was just one aspect of the inquiry and that her complaints about the police actions had been investigated.

Police are still searching for the gunman who shot Mr Watson at the family home in Holtye Road, East Grinstead, in December 1996.

Last year Mrs Watson and step-daughter Amanda London-Williams, 25, were found not guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence to the Old Bailey.

The former Page 3 girl was Mr Watson's third wife.

Mr Stone adjourned the hearing for five months after Det Inspector Siggs said he considered that would be long enough to conclude the inquiries.

The original inquest was adjourned two years ago because of the then impending trial. After the hearing Mrs Watson said: "I pushed because I wanted to have a full inquiry to alert the public."

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