DORSET detectives investigating the death of former Royal Marine Brian Tilley who was shot and killed in Iraq could be travelling to Baghdad to interview a key witness.

Steps are under way to smooth out the political and diplomatic ramifications their trip could have and to ensure they are not put in any risk before a decision is made as to whether they can go.

Mr Tilley, 47, from Poole, who once worked as a bodyguard for David and Victoria Beckham and served with the Special Boat Service, is thought to have been shot by Iraqi police on May 14 while working as a freelance security contractor there.

Dorset Police have confirmed that the line of inquiry focuses around rumours he had been involved in a liaison with an Iraqi woman, that a member of her family became angry and paid four local police officers to warn him off.

It is alleged they visited the villa he was at and shot him in the foot and back before opening fire on the three woman and a girl who had been with them.

Only the girl survived and it is that 15-year-old sole witness, currently guarded in a secure location in Iraq, that Dorset Police, on behalf of the coroners office, plan to interview.

Detective Superintendent Phil James of Dorset Police said: "I need to see a number of witnesses, where that takes place has yet to be decided based upon the risks to Dorset police and protection of the protected witness and general risks in Iraq.

"Safety is one issue and her ability to travel out of Iraq in terms of her safety and the political and diplomatic issues is another. We've been liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth office and the British authorities in Iraq.

"Iraqi police have got to be allowed to carry out their inquiries. Iraqi police officers have been arrested and my understanding is it's likely they won't be living on this earth much longer.

"The Dorset coroner has asked us to investigate Mr Tilley's death and when that is complete there will be an inquest and everything we found out will be in the public domain."

Mr Tilley's body was flown back from Iraq and forensic examination confirmed he had been murdered. When a British national dies abroad coroners here have a duty to investigate and in this case the county's deputy coroner Jonathan Morrissey has asked Dorset Police to help.

A family liaison officer has been comforting Mr Tilley's family at their Dorset home and keeping them informed of developments. But his partner is thought to be devastated by the latest developments.

First published: Sept 6