SCOTLAND’S deputy First Minister should “hang her head in shame,” the grieving family of Sheku Bayoh said today, after she failed to include race in the remit of an inquiry into his death.
Mr Bayoh, a father of two, died as a result of asphyxiation after being bound hand and foot and restrained under six police officers on a street in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3 2015. No-one has been prosecuted over his death.
Amid accusations of racism during and after the incident, a public inquiry — chaired by Lord Braccadale — began in 2022, but as more evidence mounted family and campaigners demanded its remit be extended to explicitly consider the role Mr Bayoh’s race played in the incident and its aftermath.
“Kate Forbes should hang her head in shame, she betrayed the promises made to the family by the Scottish government.
“This isn’t the end, because as we said to the chief constable today, charges must follow for those police officers who have been shown to have lied, to have broken the law, to have engaged in criminality.
“Once the public inquiry ends, we expect the solicitor general to do her job.
“What exactly is the solicitor general waiting for?”
A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesperson said: “We welcome every opportunity to reflect upon our work and identify any possible areas for improvement.”
Police Scotland deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Police Scotland has participated fully in every aspect of the public inquiry and our commitment to positively assist the chair in discharging the terms of reference remains unchanged.”
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