Fears that the Khuram Shaikh murder trial could collapse and start again

There are fears that the murder trial of a Rochdale aid worker killed while on holiday in Sri Lanka could collapse and start from scratch due to interference from the country's President.

The trial has been underway in Colombo for several weeks, but reports in the local press in Sri Lanka say the presiding High Court judge, Rohini Walgama, has been put forward for a promotion to the Appeal Courts.

If her promotion is accepted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a new judge will be appointed to the trial and the defence will have the option of asking all the evidence to be heard again from the beginning.

Six men are accused of murdering Khuram Shaikh, including Sampath Vidanapathirana, a town council leader and close associate of President Rajapaksa.

Mr Shaikh was killed while on holiday in the resort of Tangelle on Christmas Day 2011.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who has long suspected a political cover-up in the case, told Granada Reports he fears political intervention could once again deny the Shaikh family justice.