Tory grandee’s daughter-in-law arrested after police officer shot dead in Belize

The daughter-in-law of Conservative grandee Lord Ashcroft has been arrested after a police superintendent was shot dead in Belize. 

Jasmine Hartin, the partner of Michael Ashcroft’s son Andrew, was found on a dock near where police Superintendent Henry Jemmott’s body was discovered in the town of San Pedro early on Friday.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local media that when she was found she had “what appeared to be blood on her arms and on her clothing”.

A gun was found on the pier belonging to Mr Jemmott.

Police said the incident appeared to be “rather personal and not an attack” and the pair were friends who had been drinking at the time.

Investigators believe they had been alone on the pier and were both fully clothed, Mr Williams told a news conference.

He said Hartin had been in an “emotional state walking herself on the pier” when she was found.

She remains in custody and is being investigated over the shooting.

Hartin initially chose not to co-operate with authorities, instead waiting for her lawyer to be present, Mr Williams said.

Former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft holds Belizean citizenship and was once its representative at the United Nations.

LinkedIn accounts suggest Andrew Ashcroft and Hartin were connected with a local resort in Belize.

Mr Jemmott’s sister told local broadcaster 7 News that her brother had a “passion for life” and he had five children and a fiancee.