THE Scottish Police Federation (SPF) stands accused of remaining in “childlike denial” over racism in the force, as they called for the chair of the Sheku Bayoh inquiry to be removed.

The comments came in a statement made by human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar on behalf of the family of the man dubbed “Scotland’s George Floyd” as the probe into his death in police custody hangs in the balance.

Mr Bayoh died of asphyxiation in Kirkcaldy on May 3 2015 after being bound hand and foot and restrained under the weight of six police officers, one of whom claimed the 5ft 10 victim, who weighed under 13 stone, was “the biggest man” they had ever seen.

Now, as the inquiry is due to move into its final phase after more than two years of harrowing evidence and admissions by successive chief constables of institutional racism at Police Scotland, the SPF and the Crown Office have called for inquiry chair Lord Braccadale to be replaced.

Arguing on behalf of the SPF that Braccadale recuse himself because he had met Mr Bayoh’s family before the inquiry began, Roddy Dunlop KC told a special session of the inquiry on Thursday that “there is an acute dispute into who is the villain in this piece.”

Dan Byrne KC meanwhile informed the inquiry that the three police officers he represented had told him “the chair has no idea who we are — we are just white officers.”

“The purpose of influence is the prosecution of the officers,” he said.

Rejecting the calls on behalf of the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Mark Moir KC argued it was “relatively common” for a chair to meet families, a point echoed by the family’s KC, Claire Mitchell.

Closing the hearing, Lord Bracadale said he would “take time to consider the submissions,” but in a statement made on behalf of Mr Bayoh’s family, Mr Anwar said: “For the Bayoh family the SPF are the biggest gang in town — out of control, arrogant, blind to racism, riddled with misogyny, unaccountable and stupid. 

“How many millions of pounds of public money including the police budget — of police officers’ wages — are they willing to spend to defend those who stand accused of breaking their oath to preserve law and order? he said.

“Sheku’s family will not rest till there is justice. Our community is tired of grieving at gravesides.”