AN independent investigation is to be carried out into police handling of an incident in which a man died outside a city centre nightclub.

Grandfather Stewart Anderson, 54, died in hospital after an incident outside the Loveshack nightclub in Durham in the early hours of July 24.

Police launched a criminal investigation into the death of the father-of-two, from Hetton-le-Hole, and eight men were arrested in connection with the incident.

Today, the Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed it had launched its own investigation into the incident after the watchdog received a mandatory referral from Durham Constabulary as police officers attended the incident.

A spokesman for the IPCC said its investigators had visited the scene of the incident in Walkergate and were examining both CCTV footage recorded during the fatal incident and images recorded on the body-worn video cameras of police officers who attended the incident.

The watchdog is also appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on 0800 096 9070 or witness@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said: “Mr Anderson’s family is aware of the IPCC investigation and will be updated on its progress – my sympathies go to them.

“Such investigations are required where there has been police contact with a person in circumstances such as this and where that person sadly later dies.

“I would ask people to be mindful that there is an on-going criminal investigation, by Durham Constabulary, into Mr Anderson’s death.

“Our investigation will focus on the actions of the officers during the incident.”

Police were called to Loveshack just after 1am on July 24 after reports of a disturbance involving a number of people inside the popular venue.

When officers arrived, they found that door staff had detained two men and escorted them outside the club, but it quickly became clear that Mr Anderson was in distress.

First aid was administered at the scene and he was taken to the nearby University Hospital of North Durham, but died several hours later.

Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the incident. Another man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. All eight have been released on police bail until the end of September, pending further investigation.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said: "Because of the circumstances Durham Constabulary made a mandatory referral of this incident to the IPCC.

“A criminal investigation is ongoing and eight men remain on police bail until late September, pending further enquiries."