Telegraph journalist whose sudden death is being probed by UK terror cops travelled to Gibraltar to watch Nations League match, father reveals
A British journalist whose death in Gibraltar is being probed by counter-terror cops had travelled to the island to watch an obscure football match, it emerged tonight.
A British journalist whose death in Gibraltar is being probed by counter-terror cops had travelled to the island to watch an obscure football match, it emerged tonight.
David Knowles, 32, was on the Mediterranean holiday spot to watch Sundays Nations League clash between Gibraltar and Lichtenstein which attracted a crowd of just 680 people.
Speaking at the familys £900,000 two-storey suburban home near Boston Manor tube station in west London, his father Peter Knowles confirmed that Davids mother Kaye has now flown to Gibraltar as the investigation continues.
The Knowles family issued a statement this afternoon which said: We note the statement from the Royal Gibraltar Police today about David, particularly the assertion that there are no specific concerns at this time with regard to the death.
Mr Knowles confirmed to MailOnline that his sports-mad son had travelled to Gibraltar play Lichtenstein in the Nations League after the match took his fancy.
Award-winning Telegraph journalist David Knowles died in Gibraltar last Sunday aged 32
David travelled to Gibraltar to watch a Nations League match, his father Peter (pictured) has revealed
Peter also confirmed that Davids mother Kaye (pictured) has now flown to Gibraltar as the investigation continues
He said: My son loved sport. He went out there to watch Gibraltar play Lichtenstein as the match had taken his fancy.
Asked about the involvement of counter-terror police in the investigation into his sons death, he said: What were emphasising are the comments of the Royal Gibraltar Police that there are no specific concerns at this stage.
My wife is out there with them at the moment.
We wont be making any further statement.
Mr Knowles Snr had earlier this week paid tribute to his son, describing him as someone who loved life and he lived it just as well as he could.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph then, he said: Davids commitment to journalism was intense. He was never more proud than when he finally shrugged off a management job title and regained a title with the word journalist in it, and he was utterly engaged with the story of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the impact on its people, making four trips to the country and always planning the next.
The death of the presenter of The Telegraphs award-winning Ukraine: The Latest podcast from a suspected cardiac arrest on Sunday is now the subject of a major investigation
Metropolitan Police detectives travelled to Gibraltar after a request for assistance for their colleagues in the British Overseas Territory.
In a statement, the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) stressed that, despite the request for assistance from Scotland Yard, there were no specific concerns surrounding the death at this time.
The statement read: The Royal Gibraltar Police is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of 32-year-old British national David Knowles on Sunday Sep 8 whilst holidaying in Gibraltar.
His Majestys Coroner in Gibraltar has been informed, and a coroners investigation is underway.
Next of kin for the deceased have been informed, and a specialist RGP family liaison officer has been appointed.
Arrangements have been made for a post-mortem examination to be conducted today.
A policing mutual aid request for specialist support was submitted to UK policing, although there are no specific concerns at this time with regard to the death.
David Knowles hosted the Telegraphs award-winning weekday podcast Ukraine: The Latest
Labour MP Andy Slaughter (pictured) paid tribute to Mr Knowles in Parliament today
Royal Gibraltar Police detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death
Following the RGPs mutual aid request, detectives from UK Counter-Terrorism Policing have been appointed to provide support to the RGP investigation due to their existing capability and their experience of dealing with international enquiries.
The RGP will not be making further comment at this time regarding any aspect of the investigation.
A Counter-Terrorism Policing spokesman said: Primacy for the investigation remains with RGP and any further enquiries in relation to this should be directed to them.
Labour MP Andy Slaughter, paid tribute to Mr Knowles as he spoke in Parliament on Thursday.
After suggesting that a debate should take place about investigative journalism, he said: Can I pay tribute to Telegraph journalist David Knowles, creator of the brilliant Ukraine: The Latest podcast, who tragically died last weekend at the age of only 32.
Im sure my right honourable friend will join me in sending condolences to Davids family and friends.
Leader of the Commons Lucy Powell replied: I certainly would pay my condolences to Davids family.
Investigative journalism is so important to our democracy, and we should do whatever we can as a country to support it.
Marina Bay in Gibraltar, the British overseas territory where Mr Knowles died (file picture)
A block of flats on fire after being hit by a Russian air strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on August 30
The Royal Gibraltar Police is the oldest Commonwealth police force outside the UK
