MURDER squad detectives are examining a letter which may offer clues to the shooting of former drugs baron Peter Beaumont-Gowling.

Inquiries are continuing to trace the killer of the 52-year-old former restaurateur, originally from Trimdon, County Durham, who was found dead in his flat in Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, on February 14.

He was shot several times, little more than three weeks following his release from prison, after serving six years of an 11-year sentence for laundering millions of pounds of drugs money.

Theories have abounded since that the killing may have been ordered by gangland enemies of Beaumont-Gowling - who used to own Perry's nightclub, now Club 2K, in Darlington.

Police, trying to build up a picture of his lifestyle, are continuing to trawl through the business tycoon's former underworld contacts.

The man leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Derek Storey, said the letter, sent to a Newcastle newspaper, is of interest.

He said: "We will be carrying out a scientific examination to try to identify the source.

"We are taking everything seriously and this letter will be no exception, if it involves information leading towards the Gowling murder."

He said that more people were starting to come forward to help inquiries into the killing, overcoming an initial reluctance.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0191-214 6555, extension 62501 or 62512.

The letter reads:

"It seems that someone is going to have to explain why BG had to go. He thought he could walk straight back into the business.

"He was special once and made us lots of money, but he couldn't keep his head down. He had to be seen with the birds and play the big spender.

"It was all bad publicity. When he went down it was bad news for both producers and investors.

"We had to fill the void. Confidence had to be restored. Sacrifices were made.

"Whatever plans he made couldn't be allowed to happen. We couldn't take the chance.

"The decision in the end was easy and best done quickly. Who was going to miss him? Just his women. No loss really.

"And, by the way, the police are wasting their time doing forensic matching. That really is insulting our intelligence.