Having returned to the US, Mr Burrell was secretly recorded in a New York hotel admitting he had not told the “whole truth”.

“I was very naughty, and I laid a couple of red herrings,” he added.

Speaking openly about the possibility of perjury - which he denied - Mr Burrell conceded that he had “f****d” his integrity.

The coroner subsequently demanded that he return to explain himself but Mr Burrell refused, sending a statement in which he claimed he had simply been drunk and showing off.

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A spokesman for the coroner said it was not within his remit to investigate perjury and had no plans to refer the matter.

Scotland Yard said any action it would take around allegations of perjury “would not be dealt with until conclusion of the inquests”.

With the verdicts finally returned, Mr Burrell could yet find himself back under scrutiny.

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