‘Secrecy’ over judge’s pay before Sheku probe even starts
MINISTERS are refusing to say how much a judge will be paid for presiding over the public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh.
The independent probe will begin on Monday.
Father-of-two Mr Bayoh, 31, died in May 2015 while in police custody in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
His family claim race played a part in his death and criticised the subsequent investigation.
The inquiry will be headed by former judge Lord Bracadale.
Asked about his fees, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We do not disclose such personal information but we have agreed an appropriate rate.’
It mirrors the controversy over the refusal to publish the earnings of Lord Hardie, who chaired the Edinburgh trams inquiry.
Michael Fuller and Raju Bhatt have been appointed as assessors to support Lord Bracadale.
Mr Fuller is a former chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service and spent 34 years with the Metropolitan Police, where he helped set up the racial and violent crime task force.
Lawyer Mr Bhatt specialises in aiding families whose loved ones have died in custody.
The Scottish Government said: ‘It is not possible to offer an estimate at this stage for the cost of the inquiry but we will ensure that it is properly resourced.’