We feel vindicated: Sheku Bayoh’s family say inquiry has proved he had no knife when challenged by police
Lawyer: Evidence confirms dad of two was unarmed
The family of Sheku Bayoh believe they have been vindicated by evidence heard at the inquiry into his death.
The lawyer for Bayoh’s mother and sisters, Aamer Anwar, said it can no longer be disputed that Bayoh was unarmed when arrested by police in Kirkcaldy in May 2015.
The father of two, who was originally from Sierra Leone, died aged 31 after he was restrained on the ground by officers. They were responding to reports of a man behaving erratically and brandishing a knife. While witnesses described Bayoh, who had taken drugs, brandishing a knife earlier, he was unarmed when challenged by police.
The first block of evidential hearings has now concluded and chair Lord Bracadale said the inquir y will resume in November.
Anwar said: “The evidence has been so explosive, the family are in disbelief. They feel absolutely vindicated. The fact, which the police can never dispute now because it’s been shown in evidence, is Sheku was unarmed and he didn’t deserve to die. The family are horrified at the police officers’ inability to accept the facts and their denials of racism.
“What has been critical, for the family, is the eyewitness evidence as well as the medical evidence. For seven years all they have heard from those representing police officers is, ‘ Wait for the inquiry and you will see the scientific evidence.’ Well, where is it?
“They also thought at least one officer would have the decency to turn around to the mother and the sisters, who were sitting within metres of them, and pay their condolences. It’s simple, basic human decency to express remorse for a human being that is dead. Not one had the decency to do that. That was shocking.”
The inquiry is examining the circumstances of Bayoh’s death, how police handled the aftermath, and whether race was a factor. Anwar said: “One of the most significant moments was when the Chief Constable’s QC laid out that it’s not good enough for Police Scotland to be non- racist, it had to be antiracist. The family thought it was a really important moment that the person in charge of the police service said he required it to be anti- racist. Ultimately, for the family, the real test of the inquiry will not be the sympathy that’s expressed for them but whether Scotland is going to show real change can take place in what is an unaccountable, allpowerful justice system.”
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents the rank and file, said it wouldn’t comment until the inquiry concludes.