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.