'Let us grieve,' say family of Corfu death PC

The family of a 22-year-old Surrey police officer who died while on holiday in Corfu is urging anyone with information to come forward after her case was raised in Parliament.

Hannah Byrne, from Horley, died on the first night of her stay in Kavos on 1 September 2023 after falling from a rooftop and suffering a fatal head injury.

Her family say they just want to know what happened "so we can grieve at last" - but, three years on, they are still without answers.

On Monday the family's local MP Chris Coghlan urged the government to do everything in its power to accelerate the investigation abroad into her death.

Speaking in Parliament, Coghlan said that two other British women who may have been present at the time of Byrne's fall had left the scene without speaking to police.

"Her family still don't know if the Home Office ever responded to the Greek authorities' 2024 request to allow UK police to interview these women," he said.

Offering "sincere condolences" to Byrne's family, Minister of State for Security Dame Angela Eagle said that "in line with legal confidentiality obligations" she could "neither confirm or deny" if such a request "had been made or received".

She added it would be "inappropriate to comment on an investigation in another jurisdiction", but would meet Coghlan to discuss the matter further.

Byrne's brother Ollie also attended Parliament and called the experience "bittersweet".

"Things should never have got to this stage, but hopefully this is a step in the right direction in terms of getting closure," he said.

"That way, at least we as a family can grieve."

Meanwhile, Byrne's mother Sarah Warner urged anyone who was in Kavos at the time of her daughter's death and might have "seen or heard anything - however insignificant" to get in touch.

"Even the smallest detail could make a huge difference," she said.

West Sussex, Brighton & Hove Coroner Service said "a short administrative hearing to review the status of [Byrne's] case and determine any next steps" had been due to take place on Tuesday.

But, because the Greek authorities "have not yet concluded their investigation, the inquest will be further adjourned" until December - making it the sixth postponement so far.

"We remain in close contact with the family and will continue to provide updates as appropriate," added a spokesperson.

The Office of the Public Prosecutor in Corfu told the BBC the case file was currently at the procedural stage of the preliminary investigation and it was not authorised to disclose information.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was in contact with Greek authorities and the UK coroner.

A spokesperson said: "Our consular staff are in regular contact with Hannah's family and we will continue to provide support."

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