‘No closure’ for family without wider inquiry into Bayoh death

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‘No closure’ for family without wider inquiry into Bayoh ******

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Kadi Johnson, sister of Sheku Bayoh speaking to journalists outside the public inquiry in Edinburgh

The sister of Sheku Bayoh says her family will have “no closure” unless the scope of the public inquiry into his ****** is widened.

Mr Bayoh, 31, ***** after he was restrained on the ground following a violent confrontation with police in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in May 2015.

Kadi Johnson and the family also want the inquiry to investigate the Crown Office’s decision not to bring any prosecutions over the case.

The public inquiry is examining the circumstances of the ****** of Mr Bayoh – a ****** man – how his ****** was investigated and whether race played a factor.

The inquiry chair, Lord Bracadale, has urged the Scottish government to reach a decision over the family’s request “as soon as possible”.

The public inquiry began in Edinburgh in November 2022.

The first stage of hearings have now concluded and ***** submissions are due to begin in December.

Speaking after proceedings adjourned, Ms Johnson said: “For me and the rest of the family we all have no closure.

“We have come this far because we want to know why Sheku ***** and how he *****.

“But if we don’t get there then we have no closure.”

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Sheku Bayoh, 31, ***** after he was restrained on the ground following a violent confrontation with police in Kirkcaldy in May 2015

Lawyer Aamer Anwar, representing the family, said Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was asked five weeks ago to expand the inquiry’s terms of reference – to investigate why officers and the force itself were not investigated.

He said their request was backed by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish ************* leader Russell Findlay.

Mr Anwar said: “It is deeply insulting that this government is deliberately stonewalling, not just them, but ignoring Lord Bracadale.

“To put it bluntly, Kate Forbes was asked at the end of evidence, to hurry up and make a decision by Lord Bracadale.”

He added: “Unless those terms are expanded, family after family will continue to be denied justice by an archaic rule, leaving the Crown Office who when they fail in their public duty, can simply cover it up.”

‘Institutionally *******’

Earlier this month the lawyer described Scotland’s ********* justice system as “institutionally *******”.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, Mr Anwar said that he initially advised Mr Bayoh’s relatives to trust the Crown Office and Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) in their investigation,

Mr Anwar also said they should not mention race as a factor as they would be “attacked” for doing so.

Mr Bayoh lost consciousness after being restrained by six officers on Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy, on the morning of 3 May 2015.

The father-of-two was under the influence of drugs, carrying a ****** and behaving erratically when members of the public first contacted the police.

However, by the time officers arrived, he was no longer in possession of the blade.

A violent confrontation followed and Mr Bayoh was taken to hospital, where he later *****.

In June former Police Scotland chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone said revelations at the public inquiry played a major part in his decision to describe the force as

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.

And former lord advocate James Wolffe KC has expressed his “deep regret” that it cost the confidence of the family.

The Scottish government has been contacted for comment.

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#closure #family #wider #inquiry #Bayoh #******

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