7-YEAR delay before Sheku cops’ evidence
Inquiry ‘is taking far too long’
POLICE involved in the Sheku Bayoh case will not be asked to give evidence at the inquiry into his death until the spring of 2022.
It means officers will address the hearing almost seven years after the father died in their custody.
Mr Bayoh, a trainee gas engineer died in May 2015 while being restrained in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Those involved in his detainment – and who managed the aftermath – expect that they will not be called to address the public inquiry for more than a year. It could take four years for all the evidence to be heard and recommendations filed.
Mr Bayoh, 31, from Sierra Leone, had been in the UK since he was 11. He had a six-month-old son with his partner Colette Bell, and a fouryear-old boy with his ex, Connie Barcik.
Inquiry chairman Lord Bracadale hinted at a lengthy process when he noted there were 50,000 documents to read as he opened the hearing last week.
Mr Bayoh’s loved ones – already furious that the Crown Office ruled out criminal charges before the inquiry heard any evidence – will be dismayed to learn a conclusion is still many years away.
Last night, a source said: ‘Core participants have been told that with all the preparation required, it is possible the inquiry won’t hear any evidence at all in 2021.
‘Key police witnesses are not expected to be called until March or April 2022 at the earliest.
‘Given the number of witnesses likely to be called and the number of parties to be represented, it has been suggested the inquiry will last around four years.’
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘No one expects these inquiries to happen overnight but it’s taken far too long to get things moving.’
Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie has long condemned the time it takes for inquiries.
He is campaigning for changes to the fatal accident inquiry system on behalf of the families of crash victims Lamara Bell and John Yuill.
They have waited more than five years for a probe into the deaths, after Police Scotland failed to respond to a report of a smash on the M9 near Stirling.
Mr Rennie said: ‘It is an insult to expect families to wait for years on end for answers. The glacial pace of progress from the Crown Office is unacceptable no matter how complex these matters may be.’
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone is expected to have separate representation from Police Scotland at the inquiry because any subsequent action for damages would be made against his office.
The officers involved are entitled to independent representation, as are four senior officers who made decisions after the tragedy.
Mr Bayoh’s family will also be represented.
A Crown Office spokesman said it appreciated that the time taken to conclude ‘this complex investigation was difficult for all involved.’