by Phil
Mills
Sussex Police have been
criticised over the inquiry into the racist killing of tax expert Jay Abatan in
Brighton.
Essex Police carried out
an independent investigation into the way the Sussex inquiry was handled and
came up with 18 recommendations.
In response, the Sussex
force has questioned the accuracy of the Essex report and exposed
"gaps". Some county officers involved were not interviewed.
As a result, the report
is going back to Essex for a final draft before it is shown to the victim's
family.
Meanwhile, the case is
now the subject of a "fresh look" involving a team of 36 Sussex
detectives.
Mr Abatan died after an
attack outside the Oceans Rooms night club in Morley Street on January 24,
1999.
The assault was not
treated as racist during the initial inquiry but a force spokesman said:
"If just one person thinks it may be racist then it is recorded and
treated as such."
Mr Abatan, 42, of
Eastbourne, was punched to the ground after a dispute about a taxi. He died
after a week in a coma.
An appeal on the BBC's
Crimewatch brought forward new witnesses and a £75,000 reward was put up by
Sussex Police and Jay's family.
Today, Detective
Superintendent Ken Probert, heading the investigation, appealed for witnesses
to the attack to come forward. They should call the Operation Hurling incident
room on 0845 6070999.