A POPULAR traveller died from a massive brain injury after a night of heavy drinking.

An inquest heard Lord David Wharton suffered an acute right subdural haematoma – a condition where blood collects between the skull and surface of the brain – and was found dead by his wife in bed two days after falling down outside a working men’s club.

A police investigation was launched in 2007 when officers believed the 56-year-old’s death had occurred in suspicious circumstances.

It had been alleged Lord Wharton, of Constantine Avenue, Tang Hall, was punched by another man during an argument about Freemasons in the St Lawrence’s Working Men’s Club in Lawrence Street, York.

However, no-one was charged when pathologists ruled his death could have been caused by head injuries suffered in the fall.

The inquest was concluded by Jonathan Leach, York’s acting senior coroner, more than seven years since it was first opened and adjourned.

John Harold Daniel, commonly known as Colours Blue in the travelling community, was Lord Wharton’s driver. He described how they had gone to the club after Lord Wharton had been drinking in city-centre pubs after a funeral.

Mr Daniel said he was aware of an argument, but had not seen any punches thrown.

He added: “Outside he fell forward face down into the rose bush.

“I went to get him and he was on his hands and knees and I noticed blood coming from his hairline.

“I saw him the next day and noticed it was swollen around his face.

“He said what had happened and he thought he’d been slapped but didn’t say who or where and when.”

John Sykes, who was also in the club at the time, added: “Lord David Wharton was pushed which made him fall between the furniture and when he got up there was blood on his face.”

Lord Wharton spent the next day at home. However, on March 22 his wife heard him being sick.

When his wife returned home from work with Mr Daniel, she found him unconscious.

Paramedics were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Recording an open verdict, Mr Leach said: “What is clear is that when Lord David Wharton came out of the club he fell over and he may or may not have sustained injuries when he did slip.

“He could have died from a fall or the injuries sustained in an assault but the evidence I have received does not lean to one or the other.”