Inquiry into 'racist' cell murder

The family of an Asian man beaten to death in his jail cell by a known racist today won a public inquiry into his death - unprecedented in the case of a prisoner.

The Law Lords' ruling was another court defeat for Home Secretary David Blunkett.

The decision represents a major victory for the family of Zahid Mubarek, 19, who had been locked up with skinhead Robert Stewart at Feltham young offenders institution.

Stewart was jailed for life in 2000 for the murder. The Home Office had refused calls for an inquiry but Lord Bingham said the Government owed a duty to those in custody.