6.30PM: An Auckland police diversity liaison officer has joined the homicide team investigating last month's vicious attack on, and subsequent death of, 69 year-old gay Onehunga man Ron Brown. Ronald Brown Constable Brent Clark says it's important that anyone who has information about Ron Brown's lifestyle and associates calls Operation Soul. "We're investigating the murder of a man who met with a stranger at a bar and who was later fatally beaten in his own home," Clark says. A 29 year old male Hungarian tourist has been arrested and charged with Brown's murder, "but we on the investigation still need as much background information about Mr Brown as possible," says Clark. "We need to speak to anyone who interacted with him in order to ensure all the relevant facts and evidence are put before the Court so as to achieve an appropriate conclusion to the prosecution... No matter how brief or insignificant the encounter may have seemed, it could still be very important information for this investigation." Clark says the police are not interested in "the intimate details of the lives of all and sundry," only what's needed to be able to build a solid case based on reputable and reliable information. Diversity liaison officers were nominated five years ago by police regions around the country, in response to glbt community concerns that approaching general police officers with matters relating to sexuality or the gay community could generate an unsympathetic response. Operation Soul can be contacted on (09) 524 1926.