An unholy trinity of dishonesty, racism and incompetence
»»Sheku Bayoh lawyer attacks police and crown as death in custody inquiry begins »»Sister: I don’t feel safe in Scotland after his death
THE sister of Sheku Bayoh claims she doesn’t “feel safe anymore in Scotland” after his death in police custody.
Kadi Johnson told the first day of a public inquiry into Sheku’s death of her “regret” at encouraging him to move to Kirkcaldy, where he died in 2015.
Shortly before the inquiry opened in Edinburgh yesterday, the Bayoh family’s solicitor blasted Police Scotland, the force’s watchdog, and the Crown Office.
Aamer Anwar said they’d operated an “unholy trinity of dishonesty, racism and incompetence”.
The inquiry, chaired by Lord Bracadale, is examining dad-of-two Sheku’s death after being restrained by up to nine police officers, who used CS spray, pepper spray and batons.
It will look into whether race played a part in the incident which saw the 31-year-old, who was originally from Sierra Leone, suffer 23 separate injuries.
In her statement to the hearing, Kadi said: “Because of the joy, love and freedom I experienced in Scotland, I told my little brother at the age of 17 to join me.
“I thought it would be a safer place for a young black man to grow up than London was.
“For seven years we have suffered heartbreak, anger and disappointment through this journey as we fight for justice.
“Following my brother’s death, so much was said about him. Some was good and some tried to smear his character.
“We appreciate over the course of this public inquiry we are likely to hear good and bad.
“But I urge you, over however long this inquiry takes, that Sheku was a kind, loving, friendly man.” She added: “You in the inquiry might not want to hear this but I don’t feel safe anymore in Scotland. I feel nervous and worried for my children. “Why should we not have the privilege to enjoy Scotland like any other white person?” Officers had responded to reports of a man waving a knife in Kirkcaldy’s town centre but Sheku was unarmed at the time of the confrontation. Later, Mr Anwar read out a statement to the inquiry on behalf of Sheku’s partner, Collette Bell, the mum of one of his children. She told how Sheku’s younger son, who was three months old when he died, “often asks why Daddy died and had to go to heaven” and that she “dreads” telling him the truth.
Collette added: “I hope this inquiry fights for the truth.”
Speaking before the hearing got under way at Capital House, Mr Anwar said the inquiry only happened because of the “courage and perseverance of Sheku’s loved ones who have refused to walk away, be silenced, bullied or patronised”.
He added: “Over the years, it has become clear to the family that the police, PIRC (the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner), and Crown Office, has operated an unholy trinity of dishonesty, racism and incompetence, betraying the word justice.
“Kadi Johnson has no doubt that the way Sheku or her family were treated by the justice system would not have happened had Sheku been white.
“Kadi has described Sheku as Scotland’s George Floyd but taking the knee and Black Lives Matter will mean nothing if Scotland fails to support justice for Sheku.”
During the hearing, Sheku’s sister Adama broke down in tears while reading her submission, forcing proceedings to be suspended for several minutes.
The inquiry was also shown a video made by Sheku’s relatives remembering him as the “life and soul of the party”.
It recounted him leaving Sierra Leone after the outbreak of civil war and moving to London.
The hearing continues.