The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sheku family wants police complaints boss to quit
Partner calls for independent investigation into watchdog.
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.
It is now three years since Sheku Bayoh died while in police custody. The case has made countless headlines, but a true picture outlining precisely how he met his fate has been conspicuous only by its absence.
The 31-year-old Fifer died after being restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy.
His family have repeatedly called for answers and clearly feel they have been denied the opportunity of any kind of justice — or indeed closure. Their frustration is understandable.
Now they are seeking to bring a civil action against Police Scotland. It is a unique case and it will be fascinating to see what progress is made.
The lawyer for Mr Bayoh’s distraught family said they were taking action as they had decided “enough is enough”.
There is little doubt the amount of time taken to examine the circumstances surrounding the death would appear to most reasonable people to be excessive.
Clearly the family believe the police have something to hide and, with their emotions still raw, one can quite appreciate how distraught they must be amid all the continuing uncertainty.
The wait for what they see as justice has been painfully long — sadly the possibility of any meaningful outcome still feels frustratingly remote.