Sheku’s family to help choose new experts
THE family of a man who died in police custody will help investigators choose experts to assist their inquiries.
Sheku Bayoh, 31, was detained by police in May after being accused of carrying a knife.
He lost consciousness while being restrained by officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Yesterday, the father of two’s family met Kate Frame, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), who is leading the independent investigation into his death.
PIRC invited the family to participate in the investigation. It is believed they will help instruct two more experts.
Earlier this week, it emerged PIRC had spoken to two pathologists who support the existence of the condition ‘excited delirium’, which has been cited in many death-incustody cases.
Mr Bayoh’s cause of death has not been determined. His family believe that officers who arrested him in May used handcuffs, leg restraints, CS spray and batons.
A source close to them revealed that Mr Bayoh’s body had been covered in cuts and that he had suffered a fractured rib, as well as a deep cut above his eye.
Speaking after the meeting with Mrs Frame, which was attended by Mr Bayoh’s partner Colette Bell and sister Kadi Johnson, the fami- ly’s solicitor Aamer Anwar said: ‘The Bayoh family advised the commissioner that their confidence in PIRC has been shattered.
‘ PIRC’s i dentification of two pathologists who supported the controversial theory of excited delirium was the final straw.
‘Fortunately, the Lord Advocate and the commissioner have made it clear that it is important that Sheku’s family have confidence in the objectivity of those experts instructed and reassured them that the Crown will instruct further experts.
‘Today the family raised questions about the independence and the authority of PIRC, it’s extremely close relationship with Police Scotland and repeated failures to use its powers or to counter deliberate lies fed into the public domain by police sources.
‘The Bayohs spoke out because they believed PIRC’s investigation was fatally flawed and more concerned about protecting the police from criticism than holding them to account. The family had cited allegations of police malpractice which goes to the heart of this investigation, yet appeared to be ignored by PIRC.’
A PIRC spokesman said: ‘ The commissioner today met with the family and updated them on the investigation.
‘The commissioner reassured the family that she and her team are objectively exploring all lines of inquiry. She invited the family to participate in the process of identifying additional experts.’