A POLICE force apologised to the father of a man found dead in the swimming pool at Michael Barrymore's home ahead of the publication today of an inquiry into the handling of the case.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, of Harlow, Essex, died in March 2001 after attending a party at Mr Barrymore's then home in Roydon, Essex.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission's (IPCC) report is believed to have identified failings in Essex Police's initial investigation into Mr Lubbock's death.

And sources last night said the force had apologised to Mr Lubbock's father, Terry, for mistakes made in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Mr Lubbock, 64, said police had visited his Harlow home last night to personally apologise.

"I'm happy in a way," he said. "But it's a hollow apology because the perpetrators of my son's murder are still out there.

"If the police had done their job properly in the first place I believe people would be in the dock charged with his murder.

"To that end it's a hollow apology but I will accept it for what it's worth."

Mr Lubbock said the officers were not able to reveal the reasons for their apology ahead of the publication of the IPCC report.

"They haven't told me why they are apologising," he said. "They are hiding behind a shield and that shield is the fact that the IPCC report hasn't come out yet.

"I didn't expect them to go into detail but I did get an apology."

The IPCC began an inquiry in March 2007 after receiving complaints from Mr Lubbock about the handling of the case.

He claimed the probe had failed to find how his son died and also accused officers of incompetence.

No one has ever been charged in connection with Stuart Lubbock's death.

Post-mortem tests showed that he had suffered severe internal injuries which suggested sexual assault. Ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol were found in his bloodstream.

Barrymore was widely criticised for leaving his home soon after Mr Lubbock was found floating in his swimming pool.

The public learned the entertainer went to a nightclub in Harlow the previous night and clubbers, including Mr Lubbock, had gone back to his house for an impromptu party.

During the police investigation that followed, Barrymore's then boyfriend John Kenny and another partygoer Justin Merritt were arrested on suspicion of murder but were later released without charge.

Barrymore was also arrested and received a caution for smoking cannabis and for allowing others to smoke it in his house.

A coroner recorded an open verdict into Mr Lubbock's death following an inquest in September 2002.

In June 2007, Barrymore, 56, who has always protested his innocence, and two other men were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and murder but later released without charge.