Cutting a dignified and sombre figure among a posse of journalists, Terry Lubbock arrived in Edinburgh yesterday to protest about Michael Barrymore's failure to explain events surrounding the death of Stuart, Mr Lubbock's son, seven years ago.

Stuart, 31, died while at the entertainer's home in Roydon, Essex, where his body was found beside the swimming pool. In the inquest that followed, the coroner recorded an open verdict, but no one was charged over the death.

Mr Lubbock has purchased a ticket for Surviving Spike, Mr Barrymore's Fringe show, and said that he would stay for part of the performance, in the knowledge that the entertainer was already aware of his silent protest.

He has already attended a preview of the show in Windsor, and has been present at other plays and book signings where Mr Barrymore has appeared in public. Mr Lubbock said that he would continue his pursuit until the entertainer gave a full account of the night his son died.

Post-mortem examination results showed that Stuart had serious internal injuries that suggested he had been sexually assaulted during a party at Mr Barrymore's home. Traces of drugs and alcohol were also found in his blood. Police reopened their investigation last summer and Mr Barrymore was arrested, but in September the Crown Prosecution Service announced that neither he nor two other suspects would face charges.

“Barrymore knows what happened and he's not saying,” Mr Lubbock said. “He has repeatedly said that the injuries happened at the hospital, which has been disproved. It happened at his address, at his home, and he's keeping shtum. That's the reason we follow him around, to keep it in the limelight.”

Mr Lubbock said he had been seeking a coroner's verdict of unlawful killing but last week was informed that a request for a new inquest had been turned down. He expressed disappointment with the High Court and the Attorney-General and urged Mr Barrymore to join his campaign for a second inquest.

“I would back off if he agreed to that. I've never said he's involved, but he knows, and that's why I'm squeezing. I'm squeezing until he starts to talk. Then I'll back off. He could have talked years ago.”

Satisfied that he had delivered his message to the media, Mr Lubbock decided against entering the theatre, and retired for a cup of tea and an early train home to Harlow, Essex.

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