Sheku death probe ‘may last four years’
Public inquiry into allegations of police brutality
A PUBLIC inquiry into the death of a father in police custody could take up to four years.
Sheku Bayoh, 31, died in 2015 after being restrained in the street by up to nine police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced details of the public inquiry last November after meeting with Mr Bayoh’s family and partner, Collette Bell.
In May it was announced the inquiry would ask whether Mr Bayoh’s race played a part in the events leading to his death.
No details have formally been released about when the inquiry will be held, where it will take place or how long it will last.
However, it has been revealed that people being recruited to work on the probe are being told it is ‘expected to last between three and four years’.
This period is expected to include the time taken to hear witnesses and for the chairman, retired judge Lord Bracadale, to publish his judgment.
One inquiry insider said: ‘It could be next year before the inquiry begins because of Covid19 restrictions. If the inquiry runs the full four years it may not finish until 2025 – ten years after the death of Sheku Bayoh. That’s a long wait for his family and the police officers affected.’
Details of the time frame could be found in a post advertised for a media manager on the Scottish Government website.
The job, which has a starting salary of almost £40,000, involves keeping journalists and the public informed about the inquiry. The advert said it would take place in Edinburgh but did not share the exact location.
Mr Yousaf has said the inquiry will investigate the circumstances leading to and following the death of the father of two.
It will also make recommendations to try to prevent similar deaths happening in future.
The first hearings could be held remotely while coronavirus restrictions are in place.
The inquiry was announced after the Crown Office prosecutors confirmed they would not be bringing any charges against police officers over his death.
Mr Bayoh died after being pinned down by officers following reports he had been seen acting erratically in the street.
His death has sparked claims from his family that he was subjected to violent treatment because of his race.
The public inquiry will look at what happened after his death including the subsequent police investigation.
Aamer Anwar, lawyer for Mr Bayoh’s family, said: ‘It’s a disgrace that any family should have to wait eight years or longer to simply get the truth.
‘The inquiry and the judge has from the very beginning had the full support of Sheku Bayoh’s family and his partner Collette.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: The public inquiry is independent of ministers. It will be for the chairman to direct how the inquiry delivers the terms of reference as well as making decisions on how much time is required to hear and fully consider the evidence.’