Labour demand probe into death in custody
Call for public inquiry to give family justice
SCOTTISH Labour has called for a full public inquiry into the death of a prisoner restrained by prison guards.
Allan Marshall, 30, was being held on remand at HMP Edinburgh in March 2015 when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a lengthy struggle with staff.
He was dragged face down and feet first by prison officers.
A sheriff said his death was “entirely preventable” at a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
Sheriff Gordon Liddle said the evidence of guards involved in Mr Marshall’s death was “mutually and consistently dishonest”.
His family are still seeking answers and recently met with Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman, Pauline McNeill.
She said: “Mr Marshall’s family and the Scottish public deserve answers over the death in custody of Allan Marshall.
“The Fatal Accident Inquiry into his death raised many troubling issues and left serious questions unanswered.
“Allan’s family has been campaigning for those answers and they must get them.
“That Mr Marshall’s family have been denied clear answers over how and why he died is simply shocking and is an indictment on the relevant authorities. Only a public inquiry can answer the questions on Allan Marshall’s death, re-establish transparency in our criminal justice system and provide justice for his family.”
In November 2019, the Scottish Government commissioned a review into how prison deaths are handled, with a report due to be published shortly.
The review is being led by Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, and is examining practices within the Scottish Prisoner Service and the NHS.
In 2019, following the Fatal
Accident Inquiry, the Scottish Government apologised to Allan’s family. Then justice secretary Humza Yousaf said Allan’s death should not have happened.
At the time, Allan’s aunt, Sharon MacFadyen, said: “He was apologetic, compassionate and genuine but time will tell if he does what he says he’s going to do.
“This is not just about Allan, it is about a death like his never happening again.
“Nothing will bring Allan back but we want positive change to come from his death.
“An independent inquiry is an absolute priority.”