Family Call For Fife Custody Death Review

A campaign calling for a public inquiry into the death of a man who died in police custody in Fife has been launched with the backing of his family.

Sheku Bayoh, 31, was detained after police were called to an incident in Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy on May 3 and died in custody.

The Justice for Sheku Bayoh campaign is calling for answers over the death of the father of two, which is still being investigated.

Mr Bayoh's three sisters were among those at the launch event in Glasgow, which was also attended by others who have lost relatives in police custody in the UK in recent years.

It is being followed by a conference on deaths in custody, with both events organised jointly by Scotland Against Criminalising Communities and the Justice for Sheku Bayoh campaign.

His eldest sister Kadijata Johnson said: He loved his family and he also loved the people of Scotland. He was a fine young man, a hard working boy.

We, his sisters, will not rest till we get justice. The people of Scotland should not rest till we get justice.''

An investigation into Mr Bayoh's death is being undertaken by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).

The Scottish Police Federation said officers had been responding to a call of a man brandishing a knife.

Aamer Anwar, the Bayoh family's solicitor, said they believe the PIRC investigation is fundamentally flawed''.

He said: The family had put their faith in PIRC but are increasingly disappointed with PIRC. The family will accept nothing less than for the PIRC investigation to be robust and transparent.

Ade Johnson, Mr Bayoh's brother in law, also spoke at the event.

He said: We are calling on Chief Constable Stephen House for answers. There are too many questions and not enough answers, no transparency.

Ten years from now we will still remember Sheku and so will his two sons who will be ten and 13 and will be asking questions about their Dad.

Sheku loved the people of Scotland and Kirkcaldy and now is the time for us to show our love and support for the Justice for Sheku Bayoh campaign.''

Mr Anwar also called for answers about why Mr Bayoh was apparently viewed as a terrorist threat by some police officers.

He said: The family of Sheku Bayoh want Chief Constable Stephen House to explain why his police officers believed that they were dealing with a terrorist threat and whether that had any role in Sheku Bayoh's subsequent treatment.''

A spokesman for the PIRC said: We fully empathise with the deceased's family at this very difficult time and their need for answers in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh on 3 May 2015.

Our investigators are carrying out an extensive enquiry, which has many different facets that require to be thoroughly investigated.

For that reason, it is only right that such serious matters are given careful consideration and the Lord Advocate is aware of progress made by the enquiry.

A report on the PIRC's findings will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in due course.''

Others at the conference included Janet Alder, the sister of Christopher Alder, 37, who choked to death on the floor of a Hull police station in April 1998, and Marcia Rigg, sister of Sean Rigg, who died after being restrained at Brixton police station, south London, in August 2008.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: Responsibility for the investigation of deaths in custody in Scotland is a matter for the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

The PIRC is currently conducting an independent investigation. It is important we all await the findings of this robust and thorough investigation.

We cannot comment on individual cases or ongoing investigations by the PIRC.

The Scottish Government believes that the investigative powers the PIRC has are sufficient, and the PIRC has not indicated they require any additional powers in order to undertake their role effectively.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland published a review of police custody arrangements in August 2014. It found custody has 'improved significantly' in a single service, detainees are well cared for and treated with respect and dignity and custody staff exhibit patience, professionalism and a genuine desire to care for those in custody.''

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Garry McEwan said: I would like to again take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the family and we continue to offer support to them as required.

An independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sheku Bayoh's death is currently being carried out by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner.

We await the conclusion of the investigation and Police Scotland remain committed to co-operating fully with the PIRC's inquiries.''