New Leads Delay Woolmer Inquest

The inquest into the death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer in Jamaica has been postponed owing to "significant developments" in the investigation into his apparent murder. The postponement comes amid growing concern about the speed and direction of the inquiry and conflicting theories over how he died.

It is now more than a month since Mr Woolmer was found dead in his room in the Pegasus hotel in Kingston, shortly after Pakistan had suffered a humiliating defeat and exit from the World Cup. The inquest, due to open on Monday, has been delayed indefinitely.

"The coroner has been advised there are recent and significant developments," said a statement from the Jamaican justice ministry yesterday. "These new developments are critical to the progress and the eventual result of the investigation."

Detectives from the murder investigation team were yesterday in Barbados and Grenada to interview players from the West Indies and Ireland teams, who had stayed in the same hotel as Woolmer and the Pakistani squad.

The Pakistani players have been interviewed and allowed to return home but some were due to be recalled as witnesses for the inquest.

The decision to delay the inquest was taken after a meeting attended by Gil Scott, permanent secretary in Jamaica's ministry of national security, coroner Patrick Murphy, chief justice Lensley Wolfe and officials from the ministry of justice, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.

The newspaper suggested that one possible reason for the delay was that the opening of the inquest would clash with a World Cup semi-final and the fear that the combined events would stretch police resources. Mark Shields, deputy commissioner of police and a former Scotland Yard officer, said it was important that the inquest did not hamper the investigation or prejudice a jury trial. "The investigation is still at an early stage and is extremely complicated, and holding an inquest now would be premature."

The latest theory being explored is that Woolmer could have been poisoned before being attacked. If poison is confirmed, it could explain how such a large man - he was 6ft 1in and weighed 18 stone - could have been so easily overcome and strangled. One claim made to police is that the drug aconite - called wolfsbane in the Harry Potter books - was used.

Theories as to why Woolmer might have been killed are numerous, ranging from a wish to prevent him exposing details of match-fixing to enraged fans venting their fury. Police still believe he almost certainly knew his killer or killers. Another theory is that he suffered the injuries accidentally. CCTV footage from the hotel has so far failed to provide any breakthrough.

More than 100 witness statements have so far been taken by the 30 detectives assigned to the case.