The mother of a Hounslow man shot dead by police has expressed her disgust after it emerged confidential data from an inquiry into his death had gone missing.

The government revealed yesterday it was investigating the loss of two discs containing documents related to independent inquiries into the deaths of Azelle Rodney, Mark Duggan and Robert Hamill.

Mr Rodney, from Hounslow, was shot dead by police in Edgware in 2005. Former police marksman Anthony Long was last year charged with his murder after a public inquiry ruled there was 'no lawful justification' for killing the 24-year-old.

Responding to news of the missing discs, Mr Rodney's mother Susan Alexander said: "This is shocking news and very disappointing. My lawyers are in contact with the Ministry of Justice on my behalf to establish exactly what data from the case (including anything that relates personally to me) is on the discs that have gone missing."

The Government said in a statement that officials discovered the discs were missing on January 8 and they had yet to be recovered despite 'intensive' searches.

"As well as safeguarding individuals' interests, the government has undertaken urgent investigations into how this incident was able to happen, and further investigations continue in relation to both the conduct of individuals and the organisational safeguards against information security breaches of this kind," the statement continued.

"A member of staff has been suspended to facilitate the investigation. Once concluded disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate."