Justice must be done for all

Sir , – First, I wish to offer my condolences to the family of Sheku Bayoh. For a young man to die under such circumstances is terrible. They have also had to wait an awfully long time to find out what really happened and that is wrong.

My concern relates to the apparent linking of the Sheku Bayoh and the American George Floyd cases.

At this stage I am unaware of any evidence in the public arena to support that conclusion.

The planned public inquiry’s remit into the demise of Sheku Bayoh

is to establish whether or not racial prejudice on behalf of the officers who arrested Sheku led to his death.

In the case of George Floyd there is no doubt about the cruel and inhuman treatment the man received because it has been available for all to see.

I accept that as a society Scotland, like most European countries, suffers from racial prejudice. This has to be condemned. There is no place for racial hatred in any civilised society.

Nor should the outcome of public inquiries be assumed before they have taken place.

It is clear that it is

presumed that the officers who arrested Sheku were guilty of racial prejudice. Until the inquiry reports, that has not been established.

The danger is that if the presumed outcome is not delivered there will be a public outcry for the decision to be reversed, whether or not the evidence supports such a reversal.

Justice is for everyone. It must be colour blind and must ignore social standing, gender, or any other impediment to its impartiality.

If the police officers are guilty of causing the death of Sheku then they must face the full force of the law.

If they are not guilty, then they should not have to face public condemnation.

Journalists, please remember Sheku Bayoh is not George Floyd. Do not whip up emotions on the case.

Let us see what the inquiry has to say and support justice for all. Angus Shaw. West Park Road, Cupar.