Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Bayoh family accuses Scottish Police Federation of being ‘biggest gang in town’
Supporters of Sheku Bayoh outside Capital House in Edinburgh, June 12, 2025

THE family of Sheku Bayoh has accused the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) of being the “biggest gang in town” after it drove out the chairman of the inquiry into his death in custody.

Mr Bayoh died of asphyxiation on May 3 2015 while shackled hand and foot with six police officers on top of him. Since then, Police Scotland have faced allegations that the investigation into the death was not only botched but mired in racism.

In 2020, an independent inquiry was convened under Lord Braccadale, going on to hear 122 days of evidence and prompt two successive chief constables to admit that their force was “institutionally racist.”

But in recent months, the SPF has called for the chairman to step aside, alleging that his meeting with the Bayoh family — though routine in such circumstances — had compromised his position.

The federation forced a judicial review, due to be heard next month, but Lord Braccadale resigned on Tuseday, noting that “many of the core participants have lost confidence in my conduct of the inquiry.”

Mr Bayoh’s family were not among them and their lawyer Aamer Anwar has issued a scathing rebuke of those who called for the chairman to go, warning his departure could hold the legal process up for years.

“The treatment of Lord Bracadale by our institutionally racist criminal justice system is a warning to any judge who dares to act without fear or favour,” Mr Anwar said.

“Over 10 years after Sheku Bayoh’s brutal death in police hands, 122 days of evidence, this was a desperate final act of sabotage, where the federation spent millions of pounds of public money pursuing a judicial review backed in their unholy trinity by the Solicitor General and Police Scotland’s lawyers.

“They should hang their heads in shame.

“For the Bayoh family, the Scottish Police Federation are the biggest gang in town — out of control, arrogant, blind to racism, riddled with misogyny, unaccountable and stupid. 

“Sheku’s family believe his skin colour was treated as weapon, as he met lethal and overwhelming force.”

Calling for the officers involved to face criminal charges, he added: “We need justice and the truth and the families of Sheku Bayoh will accept nothing less.

“The evidence exposed over 122 days exposed the unlawful actions of officers, the disproportionate use of force.

“The Solicitor General has the evidence, so do your job and put those police officers on trial.”

Following Lord Braccadale’s resignation, the SPF claimed that his position had become “untenable” but described the situation as “unfortunate for all those involved in the inquiry.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.