The partner of the son of Lord Ashcroft, a Conservative party donor and former treasurer, is being questioned in Belize over the killing of a police officer.
Jasmine Hartin was arrested on Friday following the discovery of the body of Supt Henry Jemmott on a pier in the resort town of San Pedro.
Hartin, 38, an American, is the partner and colleague of Ashcroft’s youngest son, Andrew. She initially refused to give a statement to the police, according to a media briefing by the police commissioner, Chester Williams. He said she would only answer questions in the presence of her lawyer.
Williams confirmed that Hartin was in custody and being investigated over the death of Jemmott. “Upon investigating, police found the female on a pier, and she had what appeared to be blood on her arms and on her clothing,” he said.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday he added: “A firearm was also seen on the pier that has been retrieved and we have learned that the firearm belonged to the police and was assigned to Mr Jemmott.”
Williams described the incident as seeming “rather personal and not an attack”.
He said Hartin “was somewhat in an emotional state walking herself on the pier. We believe that she is to some extent affected by it”.
He added: “From what we know they are friends. From what we have been made to understand they were drinking. From investigation they were alone on the pier and yes, they were both fully clothed.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Hartin is director of lifestyle and experience at the Alaia Belize hotel group, a company run by Andrew Ashcroft, 43.
The Belize police department has been contacted for an update on the investigation.
