THE death of a Glasgow student in the Caribbean will form part of an official review into Scotland's fatal accident inquiry laws.

THE death of a Glasgow student in the Caribbean will form part of an official review into Scotland's fatal accident inquiry laws.

Lord Justice General Lord Cullen has agreed to consider the case of Julie Love, whose son Colin, 23, drowned in the Caribbean this year, before concluding his review of FAI legislation.

She is pushing for a change in the law that would give Scottish sheriffs the power to hold the inquiries where Scots die abroad in sudden or suspicious circumstances.

Many legal experts and politicians believe Scotland should be brought into line with England, where coroners hold an inquest into many deaths of Britons overseas.

Mr Love, a shop worker from Maryhill, drowned in January while swimming in the sea off Playa El Agua, on Venezuela's Margarita Island.

His family say holidaymakers on the cruise to the island were given no warning by the travel firm about the risks of swimming in the waters, which are known for powerful rip tides.

MSP Bob Doris wrote to Lord Cullen asking him to consider the incident before concluding his report, which is due to be published shortly.

Mr Doris said: "The waters at Playa El Agua are notorious for drowning incidents, yet I am informed there are no basic safety precautions in place, no signs to warn tourists of the dangers and no life guards.

"If this tragedy had occurred in Scotland, an FAI may have allowed the cause of death to be established, as well as an analysis of the circumstances surrounding the cause of death.

"An official FAI would have most likely have provided recommendations, and would have been a legitimate investigation upon which Venezuelan authorities could have chosen to act."

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced a review of FAI hearings last year.