THE fate of Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Jordan now lies in the hands of an independent tribunal.

Mr Jordan was suspended on March 8 after complaints over his role in the fatal police shooting of an unarmed man in Hastings last year.

He refused to comment at the end of a disciplinary meeting of the Sussex Police Authority in Lewes yesterday.

After an inquiry by Kent Police, Mr Jordan, 40, stands accused of releasing firearms for the Hastings operation when there was insufficient intelligence - charges that he strenuously denies.

Authority chairman KenBodfish said an independent solicitor would be instructed to draw up disciplinary charges to be served on the deputy chief.

The charges will be heard later by a tribunal, comprising a Queen's Counsel, a retired chief constable and a laymen, which will examine both sides before deciding on Mr Jordan's guilt or innocence.

The authority earlier disciplined Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo by way of written advice.

It is thought the hearing concerned comments he made after the fatal shooting of James Ashley in January last year.

Sussex PC Chris Sherwood has been charged with the murder of Mr Ashley and four others have been charged with misfeasance - Supt Chris Burton, Acting Det Chief Insp Kevin French, Det Insp Christopher Paul Siggs and PC Paul Shoesmith.

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