Pegasus denies security lapse, says Woolmer had an open door policy

Dubai, Apr 11 (UNI) Reacting angrily to the reports of security lapse at the time of late coach Bob Woolmer's murder, the management of the Pegasus hotel has said ''the late coach had an open door policy''.

''Woolmer had an open door policy. We have accommodated teams for over 35 years and nothing like this has ever happened before.

It is unfortunate that such an incident took place here,'' the general manager of Pegasus, Eldon Bremner told the Gulf News.

Woolmer, who was staying at Room number 374 of the hotel was found dead on April 18, a day after his side was thrashed out of the World Cup by debutants Ireland.

Meanwhile, the head of the hotel security Fern Lewis Hue has dismissed theories that his security arrangements in the hotel were not adequate when the incident took place.

''We had all security arrangements in place. In fact, our hotel staff had even undergone intensive security training before the World Cup. This course was organised by Organisation of American States in conjunction with the government of Trinidad and Tobago,'' he said, adding, ''his death was not due to deficiencies in our security system.'' According to Hue, all entries through the guestroom doors of their hotel are recorded since every key has its own identification code.

The hotel authorities also said that in view of the mega event, they had increased their security staff from 15 to 18, with two police officers on every floor.

The Pegasus in Jamaica had hosted the West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe teams during the group stages of the Caribbean event.

UNI