Ex-detective says key witness has given him 'crucial evidence'

A FORMER British police detective has come forward with claims that a key witness in the Jay Slater case, who was not tracked down by the coroner, has provided him with “crucial evidence”.

- BY PATRICK HILL, JON MACPHERSON

Mark Williams-Thomas described last Wednesday’s inquest as “disappointing” and said as a result he had “decided to speak out on a number of points”.

Last year he flew to Tenerife to work for the teenager’s family following his sudden disappearance.

He has revealed that he obtained testimony from Ayub Qassim, a convicted drug dealer, which sheds light on Jay's decision-making on the day of his tragic death.

Mr Williams-Thomas said: “The most important witness the police have also been unable to trace is Ayub Qassim.