Officers today launched an appeal for witnesses following the execution of Mohammed Basharat, who was gunned down in the offices of Little Horton Private Hire in Holme Top, Bradford, on Saturday at around 8.35pm as he prepared to go out on a job.

Detectives are urging anyone who knows anything about the road rage incident Mr Basharat was involved in the day before to contact them immediately.

The officer leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Bob Bridgestock, said Mohammed, who was shot in the head, had been involved in an accident at the junction of Park Lane and Holme Street at around 6pm the day before he was killed.

The car he was driving had been in a minor collision with the pictured white Renault Clio which had been hired locally.

Det Supt Bridgestock said: "Both vehicles stopped and there was a brief scuffle between the drivers.

"We would appeal to anyone who saw the disturbance to come forward or anyone who knows of two Afro-Caribbean men who have used a white V-registered Renault Clio.

"If this was a minor accident the day before we would appeal to those involved to come forward. At this stage it is the only known motive we have."

The occupants of the Clio are described as two Afro-Caribbean males. The driver was approximately 5ft 7ins, aged 30, of medium to slim build with short black hair. He was wearing a black jacket and dark trousers.

The passenger was aged 20 to 30, 6ft tall, with a pencil thin beard down his jaw, around his chin and around his lip.

The car was recovered by the police after being returned to the hire company on Saturday. It is now being examined by police.

Anyone with information should contact police on (01274) 376485.