SUSSEX Police Authority was deciding today if disciplinary action should be taken against senior police chiefs over the shooting death of an unarmed man.

The Chief Constable of Sussex, Paul Whitehouse, and senior officers could be suspended after today's meeting.

The authority last month suspended Deputy Chief Constable Mark Jordan, bringing to six the number of Sussex officers suspended over the shooting of James Ashley.

Hampshire Chief Constable Sir John Hoddinott led an independent inquiry into the shooting and the authority was today discussing his report on the death of the convicted killer, 39, shot by a police marksman at his flat in Hastings last January.

Central to the authority's decision will be whether members believe police officers deliberately misled the public about the operation.

Ken Bodfish, chairman of the police authority, said: "It is very hard to say what action, if any, will result from the meeting.

"It is possible that the Chief Constable could be suspended, but the process is a very long one."

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