Family of murdered Anni Dewani urge husband Shrien to 'be a man' and give answers

The family of murdered bride Anni Dewani have called on her husband to "be a man" and give them answers after a coroner questioned whether there should be an inquest into her death.

Millionaire businessman Shrien Dewani was cleared last year of orchestrating the honeymoon killing of his 28-year-old wife, who was fatally shot as the couple drove through the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa, on 14 November 2010.

Her father, Vinod Hindocha, 66, and uncle, Ashok Hindocha, 55, appeared at North London Coroner's Court to argue that Mr Dewani should answer their questions about his version of events at an inquest.

Coroner Andrew Walker told them Mr Dewani has a right not to incriminate himself, raising doubts over whether an inquest should take place, but he agreed to send Mr Dewani the family's questions and ask whether he would be willing to answer them.

The 34-year-old was extradited to South Africa last year but the case collapsed after a judge found that it was "riddled with inconsistencies".

It meant he walked free before having to give evidence and he has never spoken publicly about what happened.

Speaking outside court, Vinod Hindocha said: "I would say (to Mr Dewani) 'Be a man and come forward and say something'."

Asked if he would ever get the answers he is looking for, he said: "I don't think so but I hope so, I hope I get closure."

His brother Ashok said: "We have 10 or 15 questions that we need to be answered. That is then up to Shrien Dewani if he wants the family to suffer more, if he has any pleasure in doing so.

"Whether or not we get the answers, we will keep on trying until the day I die."

The relatives said they still have "other options" if the inquest does not go ahead but declined to say whether they would sue Mr Dewani.

In a statement read out to the court, Mr Dewani described himself as "bisexual" and admitted he had slept with male prostitutes, including one escort whose evidence was ruled inadmissible.

The court's failure to examine Mr Dewani's bisexuality is a contentious issue for Anni Dewani's family.

Ashok Hindocha told today's hearing that there were discrepancies between what Mr Dewani had told the family, the press and the South African police.

Three men - Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni - were given jail terms for their role in Mrs Dewani's killing.

Asked why the family wanted an inquest to go ahead, he said: "The main reason is that we would like to know what really happened.

"Members of Scotland Yard and other witnesses never got a chance to speak because the judge thought it was not important - if he (Mr Dewani) is gay or bisexual, she didn't want to know about that. So there is an issue about the motive."

Mr Walker told the family that an inquest would be further hampered because he does not have the power to call witnesses from South Africa.

He said: "My view, members of the family, is that in these circumstances it would serve no purpose to hold an inquest because I would not be able to answer the questions that an inquest sets out to answer.

"I'm going to direct that your questions are sent to Mr Dewani and Mr Dewani is to indicate whether he would be prepared to answer those questions."

Another hearing is expected to take place on 9 October.