Sussex MPs have called for a fresh inquiry into the police's handling of a racist attack outside a nightclub eight years ago.

Father-of-two Jay Abatan was brutally beaten in a taxi queue outside the Ocean Rooms in Morley Street, Brighton, on January 24, 1999.

The 42-year-old accountant from Eastbourne died in hospital of severe head injuries five days later. His killers have never been convicted.

In 2005 a misconduct tribunal involving two Sussex Police inspectors uncovered evidence that the original criminal investigation had "suffered from disorganisation and was not given sufficient resources".

Now Des Turner, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, and Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for West Worthing, have put their names to a Parliamentary petition demanding a further investigation into Sussex Police's handling of the case.

The early day motion, which has been signed by 24 MPs, expresses concern that eight years after Mr Abatan was killed "in a racist attack" in Brighton his murderers have still not been brought to justice.

It notes that "subsequent reports into Jay Abatan's murder have revealed flaws in the way the investigation was conducted by the police".

Noting that it is "standard procedure" for any death that may have been unlawful to be examined in a public hearing, it demands an "immediate inquest".

And it calls on the Home Secretary to ensure that police force practices for dealing with murder investigations are "standardised" across England and Wales.

Dr Turner said: "I am anxious this case is brought to a conclusion. It's a blot that this case has not been solved and it's extremely sad the murderer has not been apprehended.

"I want Sussex Police to put their cold case unit to work on it and try to see even at this late stage if they can get somewhere."

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "The death of Jay Abatan remains an unresolved case and as such is subject to regular review.

"The issue of whether an inquest will take place is for the HM Coroners Officer and not a decision for Sussex Police."

A source at the Brighton and Hove's coroner's office said the coroner was unable to proceed with an inquest until police had completed their investigation.

Last month family and friends of Mr Abatan gathered outside Brighton police station for a candlelit vigil to mark the eighth anniversary of his death.