Brian Jones film alleges Stone's death was murder

The director of a new film about Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones says he is convinced that the guitarist was killed rather than drowning accidentally as has been thought for 35 years.

The director of a new film about Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones says he is convinced that the guitarist was killed rather than drowning accidentally as has been thought for 35 years.

The producer Stephen Woolley, whose films include The Crying Gameand Backbeat, about the "fifth Beatle" Stuart Sutcliffe said he had hired an investigator who tracked down a woman who was present on the night in July 1969 when Jones drowned but was never interviewed by detectives. Woolley refused to name her although it is understood she is Janet Lawson, a nurse. Woolley described her as "key to the movie". The film, details of which were being kept under wrap until its first screening at Cannes today, is understood to suggest that Frank Thorogood, Jones's live-in handyman, contributed in some way to Jones's death.

Jones was sacked by the other members in 1969 because his musical contribution had suffered from his drug dependence and his convictions made it hard for him to tour. A few weeks later he was found dead in his swimming pool. Shortly after his death, the band replaced Jones and embarked on the tour of the United States which turned them into superstars.