THE government has delayed the publication of a consultation paper on deaths in custody to consider the implications of the case of former Burnley soldier Christopher Alder.

Lessons learned from the tragedy and the subsequent aborted court case will be included in new legal moves to prevent future such fatalities in police and prison custody.

Mr Alder was found dead in Hull police station and five police officers were recently acquitted of his killing on the direction of a trial judge. Internal police disciplinary proceedings against the five are still pending.

Solicitor General Harriet Harman revealed the delay after Burnley MP Peter Pike raised the case in the Commons.

She said: "Publication of the findings of the Attorney General's consultation paper on deaths in custody has been delayed precisely because the Alder case threw up more issues of concern that must be considered.

"We have taken into account the Alder family's view about their experience of the prosecution. It is awful for people who have lost a loved one to feel that they have suffered an injustice."

Mr Pike agreed: "This has been a dreadful experience for the Alder family. I am pleased that the Attorney General's review into deaths in custody will take into account the circumstances of the Christopher's case.

"Mrs Harman announcement is welcome and I hope it will help ensure that this tragic experience does not happen to any other family.

"When the police disciplinary proceedings are completed, I may use an adjournment debate at the Commons to air the unresolved issues surrounding his death and the court case and call for a full independent public inquiry.''

Mr Alder's sister Janet, who lives in the Manchester Road area of Burnley, is considering launching her own civil action against the five police officers.

She has campaigned for justice since the death of her brother on April 1, 1998. She is now considering taking her case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Recently the trial of five police officers who had been charged with manslaughter and misconduct in a public office was halted by the judge, who ordered the jury to return not guilty verdicts.

He said conflicting medical evidence presented by the prosecution meant the jury could not be sure how the former paratrooper met his death.

Mr Pike and Alan Johnson, MP for Hull West and Hessle, have backed Janet's call for a public inquiry because of the many issues surrounding Mr Alder's death and the subsequent inquiries and court cases.

Janet, 40, said she will not give up fighting for justice. "Nothing is ever going to bring him back," she added. "It doesn't matter how long it is going to take, I will never give up."