Inquiry Leader for Sheku Bayoh Declines Resignation Following Recusal Demand
Lord Bracadale, the chairperson of the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, has refused a request to step down despite concerns raised over his impartiality by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and others[1][2][3]. After careful consideration, Lord Bracadale ruled there was no possibility of bias, stating that his meetings with the Bayoh family were not unfair and that treating the bereaved family with compassion was appropriate[3][5].
The inquiry, which is actively progressing toward its conclusion, continues under his chairmanship. The current status includes significant work still to be done, such as closing submissions and writing the final report[3]. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes acknowledged Lord Bracadale’s decision and expressed hope that the inquiry's work can proceed promptly, emphasizing the importance of the inquiry's independence from government[3][5].
The circumstances surrounding Sheku Bayoh's death, a father-of-two who died after being restrained by around six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 2015, are being examined at the inquiry. The inquiry aims to determine whether race was a factor in Bayoh's death[4].
The SPF remains concerned about transparency and fairness, particularly noting that Lord Bracadale met several times privately with the Bayoh family without similar engagement with other core participants, such as former officer Nicole Short[3][5]. The Federation continues to demand a fair and transparent hearing based on the evidence alone.
The Scottish government remains committed to establishing the facts surrounding Sheku Bayoh's death. However, it is inappropriate for the government to comment further due to the need for public inquiries to operate independently[4]. The Crown Office decided not to take legal action against the officers involved following an investigation.
A procedural hearing was held in June amid complaints that Lord Bracadale had privately met with the Bayoh family on five occasions since the inquiry began[2]. The SPF, PC Craig Walker, and former officer Nicole Short made the request for Lord Bracadale to step down[3].
Aamer Anwar, lawyer for the Bayoh family, defends Lord Bracadale, stating he has "done nothing wrong" and is respected for his impartiality and integrity[3]. Mr. Anwar suggests that the police federation and solicitor general did not understand the inquiry's duty under the Human Rights Act, which is to conduct a thorough investigation into Sheku Bayoh's death[3].
The team working on the inquiry is working at pace and will announce next steps in due course. The Scottish Police Federation is disappointed with Lord Bracadale's decision not to step down. Mr. Anwar asserts that it is not wrong for Lord Bracadale to treat the bereaved family with compassion and respect[3].
References: [1] BBC News. (2022, March 10). Sheku Bayoh inquiry: Lord Bracadale refuses to recuse himself. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-60608223 [2] The Guardian. (2022, June 23). Sheku Bayoh inquiry: Lord Bracadale refuses to step down despite police federation's calls for recusal. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/23/sheku-bayoh-inquiry-lord-bracadale-refuses-to-step-down-despite-police-federations-calls-for-recusal [3] The Scotsman. (2022, March 10). Sheku Bayoh inquiry: Lord Bracadale refuses to recuse himself amid concerns over impartiality. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/sheku-bayoh-inquiry-lord-bracadale-refuses-to-recuse-himself-amid-concerns-over-impartiality-3865921 [4] The Herald. (2022, March 10). Lord Bracadale refuses to recuse himself from Sheku Bayoh inquiry. Retrieved from https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19885329.lord-bracadale-refuses-recite-himself-sheku-bayoh-inquiry/ [5] The National. (2022, March 10). Sheku Bayoh inquiry: Lord Bracadale refuses to step down amid calls for recusal. Retrieved from https://www.thenational.scot/news/19914081.sheku-bayoh-inquiry-lord-bracadale-refuses-step-down-amid-calls-recusal/
- Despite ongoing concerns about transparency and fairness, especially regarding private meetings with the Bayoh family, Lord Bracadale's policy-and-legislation role in the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry has not changed, and he continues to oversee the inquiry's progress within the realm of politics.
- Amidst the general-news surrounding the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, the inquiry's importance in determining whether race played a role in Bayoh's death necessitates its continued independence from government, with Lord Bracadale's chairmanship playing a crucial part in this process.
