JUSTICE Secretary Humza Yousaf has announced the terms of reference for a public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, who died five years ago in Fife after an incident involving several police officers.
The inquiry, to be chaired by Lord Bracadale, will establish the circumstances surrounding his death in police custody and make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.
Deaths in police custody are subject to a mandatory fatal accident inquiry (FAI), but Yousaf said previously that the Lord Advocate believed it would not allow all the issues to be addressed in this case.
The public inquiry will assess the post-incident management processes and investigation, the extent to which Bayoh’s “actual or perceived race” may have played a part, as well as the actions of the police officers involved.
READ MORE: Sheku Bayoh’s family meet chief of police for 'robust' talks
Up to eight officers were involved in restraining Bayoh during an incident in Kirkcaldy on May 3, 2015, in which they used CS, PAVA spray, batons, leg and ankle restraints and handcuffs.
The family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said in a statement: “The Bayoh family welcomes the unprecedented and wide ranging terms of reference now published for the public inquiry.
“Sheku’s loved ones have long believed that the Crown Office and [Police Investigations & Review Commissioner] PIRC betrayed their struggle for justice, but they hope this inquiry will robustly search for the truth and hold power to account.
“I pay tribute to the courage and perseverance of Collette (Sheku’s partner) and Sheku’s family without whom this inquiry would never have been possible.”
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