'Mr Big' Paul Massey shooting was 'assassination', says brother Published duration 28 July 2015

media caption The brother of a criminal nicknamed "Mr Big" does not want "any repercussions"

A convicted criminal once nicknamed "Mr Big" was shot and killed in an "assassination", his brother has said.

The security boss, who was jailed in 1999 for 14 years over a stabbing, died from a gunshot wound to the chest after being shot four times, police said.

His brother said he does not want "any repercussions", adding: "Let the police do what they've got to do... and I hope people can help them out."

"I'm fed up of hearing about people getting shot in Manchester, Salford, everywhere - we don't need it."

image copyright (C) British Broadcasting Corporation image caption Paul Massey was a convicted criminal and former mayoral candidate

"It wasn't murder, it was an assassination - it was planned. There was no robbery, nothing like that - as far as I'm concerned, it was planned," he said.

He also appealed for "no disturbances" at the funeral, which will be held at a future date.

'Targeted attack'

Several eyewitnesses saw the gunman approach Massey, who unsuccessfully stood to be Salford mayor in 2012, at about 19:30 BST as he got out of his silver BMW.

After opening fire, the shooter left on foot down the side of nearby St Anne's Church, police said.

Officers appealed for a teenager who was standing at a nearby bus stop to contact them.

Massey called emergency services from his driveway in Manchester Road, Clifton, telling them he had been shot.

The gunman was white, slim and wore a hat, which was possibly fisherman style, police said.

image caption Paul Massey was shot outside his home in Salford

He also wore a face covering, a green or khaki long-sleeved top and combat style trousers tucked into black, lace-up boots.

Det Ch Insp Howard Millington said: "We believe this was a targeted attack on Paul and are still working to establish a motive for the murder.

"We are keen to speak to a girl who we believe is a potential witness to the shooting. She was stood at the bus stop on Manchester Road at the time of the shooting.

"She is described as about 16-17-years-old, Asian in appearance and of slim build. I would ask that she comes forward as she may have key information that can help our investigation."