Detectives make new Jill Dando appeal

LONDON (Reuters) - Senior detectives are appealing for anyone who might have new information about the murder of Jill Dando to come forward following the acquittal of Barry George last week.

George, 48, jailed in 2001 for the BBC presenter's killing, was freed after a re-trial at the Old Bailey last Friday.

London police's Assistant Commissioner John Yates said the senior investigating team had met on Monday to discuss what steps to take.

"As with all unsolved murders, this case remains open and subject to review," Yates said in a statement.

"A 50,000-pound reward from the charity Crimestoppers still remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jill's murderer. We continue to appeal for any new information and keep an open mind in relation to this case."

Officers from the Homicide Command, led by Commander Simon Foy, will now begin reviewing the available evidence, to see what leads there are, Yates said.

Dando, 37, was shot with a gun pressed against her head on the doorstep of her west London home in April 1999, a murder that led to one of the capital police force's biggest investigations.

George, a loner who stalked women, emerged as the chief suspect. But speaking to newspapers after his release, he said he had in fact been pursuing another woman on the day of Dando's death nine years ago.

Before he was arrested, detectives examined a wide range of theories. One was that Dando was killed by a Serb, angry that she had presented a TV fundraiser for Kosovan refugees.