FOLLOWING the overwhelming response to our Justice for Paul campaign, News Shopper has delivered 1,000 signatures of support to the Bahamas High Commission.

But what should have been a routine handover took an unexpected twist when the Gallagher family, Orpington MP John Horam and News Shopper reporter Sara Nelson were refused entry to the building.

Despite having received confirmation from a High Commission spokesman that our petition would be accepted in person, we found the door firmly closed on us.

As we stood under the glare of a CCTV camera, our knocking went ignored and we soon realised somebody had also disconnected the doorbell.

Bewildered postmen and cleaners were also locked out and the scenes rapidly turned to chaos, which were caputured on film by a Sky News camera crew.

After almost an hour, it became clear the High Commission had no intention of honouring its word and we had no choice other than to post our petition throught the letterbox.

Mr Gallagher, of Repton Road, Orpington, said: "We can't understand why it happened, all we are doing is handing in a petition.

"It wasn't as if we were asking for much. This was a typical example of the way the Bahamas Government are washing their hands of the matter.

"The Bahamas stands for tourism. They want to wash their hands of the Gallagher family and pretend it never happened - but that is not going to happen.

"We are going to ask that they are removed from the Commonwealth. They are a disgrace.

"If this country acted in a similar manner, this country should be removed from the Commonwealth.

"The Commonwealth is about goodness and human rights, the Bahamas is about the exact opposite.

"It took me by complete surprise. I thought the worst that could happen would be we would hand the envelope over to a clerk and that would be it.

"They switched the bell off, and wouldn't answer the door. They are behaving like children. I imagine there will a few more twists and turns in how low they will get.

"My little boy was killed and the way they are treating my family is disgusting."

Nearly four years on since two-year-old Paul's death, the Foreign Office has now confirmed a joint review into the fatality will be carried out by British and Bahamas police forces.

Mr Gallagher said he was "delighted" at the news and added: "With the full support and backing of the News Shopper in their campaign for little Paul we are now one step closer in seeking justice.

"We would like to thank the News Shopper for their time and effort in this terrible tragedy and a big thank you to every single person who has signed the petition."

Mr Horam said: "I was very disappointed the High Commission didn't even have the courtesy to accept the packet by hand, which we asked it to do and it had agreed to do.

"But I am very pleased the Metropolitan Police are taking it very seriously and we hope to have a proper investigation in the Bahamas."