Official watchdogs have launched an investigation into the shooting by armed police on Wednesday last week of a 62-year-old driver from a Hendon mini-cab office.

Michael Malsbury, who worked for Mainline Express in Watford Way, Hendon, died shortly after he was hit by a single gunshot wound to the chest, following a nine-hour siege at his home in Eastleigh Avenue, Harrow.

Police officers were called to the address just before 3.30am on Wednesday morning by ambulance paramedics who were treating a 40-year-old woman, believed to be Mr Malsbury's wife, who had been assaulted.

A police spokeswoman said the victim was recovering from head and arm injuries in Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow.

Mr Malsbury had barricaded himself in a bedroom, telling police he had a gun.

"Armed police responded and a man suffering from a gunshot wound was taken by ambulance to Northwick Park Hospital," the spokeswoman said.

A post-mortem carried out the following day gave the cause of death as a single gunshot wound.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is expected to make a full inquiry into the events surrounding the shooting, and will decide whether to take any disciplinary action against the officers involved.

The Crown Prosecution Service will use the PCA's findings to determine whether criminal charges will be brought against the officers.

Mainline Express refused to comment on the incident.