The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sheku family want watchdog to resign
Relatives claim investigation was flawed
The investigation into Sheku Bayoh’s death was branded a national disgrace yesterday.
The father of two’s family called for the resignation of Scotland’s police watchdog as they outlined their bid to sue Police Scotland’s chief constable.
Sheku died after being restrained by nine officers in Kirkcaldy on May 3 2015.
His sister Kadi Johnson said: “We the family want an end to this. We want to grieve. Our patience has been exhausted. Our trust failed.”
Through their lawyer Aamer Anwar, the family claimed that an investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner Kate Frame was fundamentally flawed and that police officers were responsible for Sheku’s death.
Police Scotland confirmed it had received legal papers while the PIRC said an “extensive and detailed investigation” had been conducted.
The family of Sheku Bayoh called for the resignation of police watchdog Kate Frame as they launched legal action against Police Scotland.
On the eve of the third anniversary of the father-of-two’s death, they alleged the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner had delayed an inquiry and they urged the Scottish Government to order an independent judicial review of the PIRC.
They also confirmed they had begun the process of suing the present chief constable for £1.85 million for the actions of officers under the leadership of his predecessor Stephen House.
They claimed the manner of restraint used against the 31-year-old gas engineer from Kirkcaldy was not reasonable, proportionate or necessary and resulted in him suffering positional asphyxiation.
Sheku died in hospital on May 3 2015, shortly after being restrained by nine police officers in Kirkcaldy responding to a reports of a man with a knife. No knife was found in his possession but one was recovered later near the scene.
The officers used CS spray, ankle restraints, handcuffs and batons and Sheku suffered multiple injuries.
A procurator fiscal’s report said he was under the influence of ecstasy and a former so-called legal high.
The family continues to fight for answers and their lawyer Aamer Anwar said the investigation into Sheku’s death was a “national disgrace”.
He said: “To date no police officer was suspended without prejudice and despite a final report delivered by PIRC to the Lord Advocate in 2016 he is yet to take action.
“The passage of time means that memories fade and evidence disappears or deteriorates.
“Sheku’s loved ones never wanted to go to court but they will not give up.”
At a press conference in Glasgow yesterday, it was alleged that Sheku’s partner Collette Bell was initially told Sheku had been found dead in the street, one of five versions of events given to his family in the hours after his death.
It was also stated that some officers claimed they believed they were under a terrorist attack and Sheku — known as Sheik — was “demonised”.
His sister Kadi Johnson said she believed he was treated the way he was because he was black.
She added: “We the family have kept an open mind and had faith in the justice system. But waiting for three years with no answers has been soul destroying.”
Collette, mother of his three-year-old son Isaac, said: “We have always said that if Sheik broke the law then the police had a right to act. They did not have the right to perform the role of judge, jury and executioner.”
Summons was served on Acting Chief Constable Iain Livingstone on Friday and it is understood the case must call at the Court of Session by May 18.
Sir, – In the news item in The Courier about the planned cinema in the Greenmarket site you quote Tim Allan, president of Scottish Chambers of Commerce as saying: “I don’t see it as detrimental to the DCA. People who want to go and see Thor: Ragnarok or Avengers: Infinity War are not going to go to the DCA, which thrives showing offbeat, left-field films with a limited release.”
I suggest that Mr Allan is misinformed. The DCA shows many mainstream films and certainly does not confine its showings to “offbeat and left-field” films.
In the recent past I have seen in the DCA Darkest Hour, The Post and Dunkirk – all popular films shown nationwide in cinema chains. If Mr Allan cared to look at the DCA’s cinema programme he would see how mistaken is his comment.
The DCA deserves all the support it can get. A multi-screen cinema next door would certainly be detrimental to its continued existence. Alastair L Stewart. Albany Road, Broughty Ferry.