A disciplinary inquiry has been launched into the way Sussex Police handled a suspected racist murder investigation.

Avon and Somerset Police have begun investigating officers involved in the case of accountant Jay Abatan, from Eastbourne.

The move comes after members of Mr Abatan's family made statements detailing their complaints about the investigation, a spokesman for the Police Complaints Authority said.

Mr Abatan, 42, died five days after suffering a blow outside the Ocean Rooms night club in Morley Street, Brighton, in January 1999.

Police believe he had been involved in a dispute over a taxi.

No one has ever been charged with his murder. However, two people were charged with manslaughter. One of the charges was withdrawn and the other was dismissed, both at committal stage.

The same two people were then charged and later cleared of affray and causing actual bodily harm to Michael Abatan, Jay Abatan's brother, who was with him at the time.

A review of the case in February 2001 by Essex Police was critical of the way the Sussex force dealt with the investigation.

Sussex Police launched a reinvestigation of Jay Abatan's murder in November 2000. That investigation, which is still going on, is not the subject of any complaints.

The disciplinary inquiry is due to be completed in the New Year. It is being supervised by Police Complaints Authority member David Petch and carried out by Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Steve Pilkington.

The PCA spokesman declined to draw parallels with the Stephen Lawrence case.

Sussex Police said there was a £175,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Jay Abatan's killer.

A force spokesman said: "I can confirm Avon and Somerset are carrying out an investigation into the initial handling of the case. It is being supervised by the PCA."