Bayoh family hits out at police over ‘double standards’

Solicitor says they are baffled why officers involved in case were not sidelined

The family of Sheku Bayoh have accused the police of “double standards” over the suspension of officers.

Mr Bayoh died shortly after being arrested in Kirkcaldy in an incident involving up to nine police officers in May 2015. None of those staff were suspended despite fears that failing to do so would jeopardise the death-incustody investigation.

The family’s anger has resurfaced after it emerged last month that senior officers are suspended while an entirely unrelated probe into “crime and misconduct” is carried out. Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins and at least two other senior officers are under investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

Aamer Anwar, the family’s solicitor, told The Courier they are baffled why the officers involved in Mr Bayoh’s case were not sidelined to ensure the integrity of that Pirc investigation.

In a statement, Mr Anwar said: “In the case of the recent investigation into ACC Higgins it was suggested that the suspension was considered necessary to ensure the Pirc investigation was not subject to any influence or interference.

“Yet in the case of Sheku Bayoh, police were kept together in a police station for several hours after his death, statements were not provided to Pirc for some 32 days and nobody was ever suspended.”

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson said: “A report by Pirc into the death of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy is being considered by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“Police Scotland has been committed to cooperating with Pirc and the Crown Office throughout the process.”