AN independent public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, who died in police custody, will begin on Monday, led by Lord Bracadale, retired senator of the College of Justice.
The 32-year-old died in May 2015 while being restrained by police responding to a call in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
His family claimed race played a part in his death and criticised the subsequent investigation.
The inquiry will be led by Lord Bracadale, and supported by Michael Fuller – a police officer for 34 years and the only black chief constable appointed in the UK to date – and lawyer Raju Bhatt.
Aamer Anwar, the Bayoh family lawyer, said the inquiry “fills the family with hope”.
READ MORE: Justice Secretary announces terms of Sheku Bayoh public inquiry
It comes after a review by Dame Angiolini QC earlier this month was critical of the lack of accountability and racism in Police Scotland.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced the inquiry last November, with the scope of the hearing determined in May.
He said: “The family of Mr Bayoh have shown remarkable dignity and perseverance during their five-year wait for an inquiry into the death of Sheku.
“I hope that today’s announcement gives them comfort and reassurance that the circumstances surrounding his death will be examined in a public and transparent manner.
“Lord Bracadale and I worked closely together in selecting the assessors and we agreed that Mr Fuller and Mr Bhatt would provide extensive levels of experience and expertise to the inquiry.
“The formal start of the inquiry is a key milestone and I am confident the assessors will ably assist the chair to consider issues relevant to the terms of reference.
“The inquiry will examine the circumstances leading up to the death of Mr Bayoh, the post-incident management process and subsequent investigation.
“The inquiry will also establish the extent to which Mr Bayoh’s actual or perceived race played a part in events, if any.”
Anwar added: “The family have suffered considerable anguish, anger and frustration about the lack of accountability after Sheku’s death and the failure of the Crown to hold the police to account.
“In the UK there has never been a successful manslaughter prosecution of any officer either at an individual or senior management level for police-related deaths, despite evidence of unlawful or excessive use of force or gross neglect.
“The review by Dame Angiolini QC on the 11th November 2020 (Independent review of complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues in relation to policing) delivered a damning indictment of the lack of accountability and racism in police Scotland … Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the family and the appointment of the two assessors, with highly respected judge Lord Bracadale as chair fills the family with hope.”
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