The MP for Carshalton and Wallington Tom Brake has been speaking with a Brazilian ambassador, in pursuit of the truth about tragic holidaymaker Neil Juwaheer.

Mr Brake has received an assurance from the Brazilian embassy they have requested extra information on the case.

The former estate agent from Carshalton Beeches died in police custody in Fortaleza, Brazil, on July 8 2007.

He was arrested by officers after a scaling a wall and entering private property.

The Brazilian police claim he died from an overdose after swallowing a packet of cocaine on arrest.

But the parents of Mr Juwaheer insist he was beaten to death by officers.

At an inquest on Thursday May 22 Coroner Selena Lynch ruled an open verdict in the case of Mr Juwaheer.

The fact the death took place in Brazil complicated the inquest because it meant key witnesses could not be brought forward.

Following the verdict Mr Juwaheer’s father Joe vowed he would never give up his fight for the truth.

The post mortem in Brazil reported a small packet containing traces of cocaine was found in his son’s stomach.

In their seven-year pursuit of the truth, Mr and Mrs Juwaheer have pushed for DNA tests to be carried out on the packet.

But for 18 months authorities in Brazil claimed it was missing.

A packet has now surfaced, but forensic DNA testing has not been carried out on the sample.

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The parents of Neil Juwaheer have praised Mr Brake for helping them in their fight

In his email to ambassador Roberto Jaguaribe on May 27,  Mr Brake said: "As you may be aware, I have for a number of years been helping a constituent, Mr Juwaheer, whose son Neil, died in a Brazilian police station some years ago. 

"I have been to the Brazilian Embassy on two occasions to discuss his case.

"Currently the problem I am hoping you might assist with is the failure of the official testing facility, Forensics Institute of Ceará (PEFOCE) to confirm that it can carry out DNA tests.

"The official request from the court goes back to at least August 2013."

Fortaleza is the capital of the state of Ceara.

Mr Brake asked the ambassador to get in contact with Ceara’s Foreign Relations Assistant, to see what help he can offer.

The Brazilian embassy replied on June 5 to confirm they have submitted the request, and will attempt to arrange a meeting between Mr Brake and the ambassador.

Follwing the inquest, Joe Juwaheer said: "The bag was produced after (his death.) It was planted there.

"He had an injury to his head, and also had injuries to his toes and other parts of his body.

"He was tied up and I believe tortured.

"If he was found foaming at the mouth and in this terrible mess, why was he taken to the police station and not the hospital?

"We will never give up trying to find out how our son died."