Leading council officers will be questioned over the apparent suicide of a father fighting for the right to choose his child's school.

Brighton and Hove City Council's Liberal Democrat leader Paul Elgood said he would be asking council chief executive Alan McCarthy if procedures were followed correctly.

The council, in a statement, implied that protocol in the case had been followed to the letter.

Councillor Elgood said huge emotional upset can be caused over school placement and he was glad a schools admissions review was under way in the city.

He said: "The system must be transparent and fair."

Coun Elgood called the death of Steven Don "tragic and sad".

Mr Don, a 43-year-old surveyor, died when he was hit by a train at Selmeston, between Lewes and Polegate, on Wednesday.

He made phone calls threatening suicide just before the collision.

Mr Don, of Varndean Road, Brighton, applied for his 11-year-old daughter to attend nearby Dorothy Stringer School but the education authority chose Falmer, a two-bus journey away.

A compromise choice of Varndean was relayed to Mr Don just hours before he died but, his widow said, he was disbelieving.

Lorraine Don, 41, said: "He had been given false hopes before. He had become deeply upset."

The council initially refused to comment, saying it was inappropriate. But yesterday they released more information.

Their statement read: "Our sympathies and concerns are with those affected.

"It is appropriate to comment on the procedures carried out and the events of this week.

"The school application for Mr Don's daughter was received a number of days late for the preferred school.

"Additionally the form was not filled in using standard guidance, ie it only quoted one school without alternatives.

"A place was offered at Falmer school and was appealed against on the basis of the travel required. The independent appeals panel turned down Mr Don's appeal.

"Subsequently, a separate application for another school was received. This school was already over the number of students it could take and was therefore unable to allocate a place.

"This application was subject to a pending appeal.

"On Wednesday of this week, the specific circumstances were reviewed and, exceptionally, a place was allocated.

"Three separate professional teams - the education team, acting with the authority of the director of children, families and schools, social services and the police - advised Mr Don that a place had been allocated."

The statement added: "It is inappropriate to comment more on the subsequent tragic events."

Mr Don's widow was being comforted by friends and family.

Mr Don, a Brighton and Hove Albion fan, made headlines in The Argus last summer after he used his soccer scarf to comfort an off-duty Sussex policeman injured after the club's promotion success at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Mrs Don said: "Steve adored his family and was a great Albion fan. He'd take his daughter to matches regularly."

His daughter said she wanted her father's ashes scattered on Albion's new home at Falmer, if the stadium plan was approved.

She has written a poem to read at his funeral. It includes: "Infinity, infinity, to the moon and back, I loved him millions, billions, trillions, quillions.

"He was a super nurse, doctor and king, he could do anything with a bang, bong, bing. That's why we loved him so."

Police investigating the death said there were no suspicious circumstances. An inquest will be held.