A new inquest into the death of a British Jewish student in Germany has opened, more than seven years after he died.

Jeremiah Duggan was found dead on a highway near Wiesbaden, Germany in March 2003 while attending a youth event organised by the far-right LaRouche group, which is alleged to have antisemitic connections.

German police said that the 22-year-old had committed suicide but Mr Duggan’s family and friends have campaigned for his death to be investigated fully.

In May 2010 they won the right to a second inquest, which has now opened at North London Coroner's Court in Barnet.

Barrister Neil Sheldon told the coroner that there were “serious potential allegations of wrongdoing” and “foul play”.

He added: "There is the question of whether Jeremiah was also subject to a sustained psychological attack prior to his death."

The coroner said he would ask the Metropolitan Police to investigate LaRouche’s links with the case, and announced that there would be a second pre-inquest review in a month.