My quest for justice - by Brenda White

Nothing could have prepared me for the heart-breaking news we received on 23/09/14. That one telephone call changed my life forever, my darling son Michael was dead. Nor could I have ever imagined that nearly five years on I am still fighting for justice.

Michael was aged 27 a former Royal Marine who was then working as a close protection officer on different contracts around the world, in between contracts he made his base in Thailand, where he died - allegedly taking his own life.

It took many months after his death for me to start asking the questions I desperately wanted answers for. These questions included several unexplained injuries on his face and hands, who took the SIM card from his mobile? who tried to delete information on his computer? who systematically emptied his Thai bank account after his death?These questions are but a few of the inconsistencies in the investigation into his death.

The FCO were made fully aware of these questions and for eighteen months I made calls to them to see if they had any feedback from the authorities in Thailand. I got nothing - and I mean nothing from them.  In fact, in my last call to the FCO it was made perfectly obvious that they were not going to help.

I was left with no choice but to start investigating myself, I hired Thai lawyers to act on my behalf because foreigners have no rights in Thailand. I instructed them to ask the Thai police about the injuries on my son's body, which they did and were told that the autopsy report had been mislaid. They asked my son's bank about the withdrawals on his account and the bank would tell them nothing. I travelled to Thailand to make a documentary about his death. I went to the apartments where my son allegedly hung himself from a shower rail, to this day I am haunted after watching my husband test the strength of this shower rail, which with the minimal amount of pressure fell to bits in his hand, Michael weighed in excess of 90 kilos. I spoke to someone who was at the apartments that day and he confirmed that none of the doors to the apartment or bathroom were locked, as stated by the key witness. In fact the key witness has now admitted on camera that they lied about the doors being locked and that they are afraid to speak of Michael's death because they are in fear for their lives if they return to Thailand. I now realise what a dangerous situation my husband and I put ourselves in by going to Thailand and asking the questions we did.

Now, I understand that the FCO cannot bring Michael back, but their total lack of support and assistance is beyond comprehension. If they are unable to do anything, then I think the question needs to be asked: what is the point?

No mother or family should have to go through what I and mine have. The whole working ethos needs to change for the FCO. Before Michael's passing I truly believed that if I or one of my loved ones found themselves in trouble abroad my country would help them. I now know you are completely on your own, and British nationals need to be aware that, until change happens, my story could be theirs.