Chair of Sheku Bayoh inquiry resigns
He'd been facing questions about his impartiality after holding private meetings with Bayoh's family.
Last updated 21st Oct 2025
The chair of the inquiry looking into the death of Sheku Bayoh in Fife in May 2015, Lord Bracadale, has resigned.
He'd been facing questions about his impartiality after holding private meetings with Bayoh's family.
The father of two died in Kirkcaldy when after being restrained by six police officers.
Lord Bracadale confirmed his resignation in a letter to the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes.
He wrote: "As the judicial review process developed it became clear that the concerns about my conduct had not been allayed by my decision and that the criticisms have persisted.
"As a result, it is now clear to me that many of the core participants have lost confidence in my conduct of the Inquiry to such an extent that it cannot be retrieved."
The Scottish Police Federation had been probing whether or not he is fit to remain in the position and raised a judicial review on August 13.
Chair David Kennedy said: "It is unfortunate for all those involved in the Inquiry that this situation has occurred.
"The meetings between Lord Bracadale and the family of Sheku Bayoh had created an appearance of bias.
"We look forward to the final stages of the Inquiry and bringing this matter to a conclusion.”
Bayoh's family is yet to comment but their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, is holding a press conference in Glasgow tomorrow.
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