A misconduct hearing for five police officers relating to the death of Habib Ullah is to be heard in public.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has today concluded the hearing should be held in public due to the "gravity and seriousness of the case" and the "need for transparency".

The IPCC had ruled last August there were cases of gross misconduct to be answered by the five police officers involved in events which led to the 2008 death of Mr Ullah in custody - although the CPS later ruled out bringing criminal prosecutions against any of the officers involved.

Guido Liguori, IPCC Associate Commissioner, said: "I have given careful consideration to all of the representations made, both those in favour, and those opposed to this course of action.

"The focus of this disciplinary hearing will be on the testimony of the five officers following Mr Ullah’s death. The purpose of holding a disciplinary hearing in public is to maintain confidence in the police complaints system. "The IPCC has set a high threshold for the gravity of cases to be heard in public and I am satisfied that the alleged circumstances of this case meet that test."

Jurors who heard evidence at a five week long inquest that finished in March concluded Mr Ullah died of misadventure with a narrative verdict, questioning the level of force officers used on him.

Mr Ullah, known to friends as Paps, died after a package containing Class A drugs he was trying to conceal in his mouth became lodged in his throat.

Officers who restrained him in a routine stop and search in Sharrow Vale, High Wycombe, on July 3, 2008, used excessive force, the inquest jury ruled.

Jurors said the operation was "poorly managed".

They were the second jury to hear the case, after a first inquest was abandoned when it came to light officers had been told to change their statements.

The IPCC re-opened their investigation as a result, but the CPS ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge any individual in relation to Mr Ullah’s death or in relation to allegations of perverting the course of justice.