No prosecutions to be brought over Sheku Bayoh death

The family of a Fife man who died in police custody say they are 'devastated' no criminal charges will be brought against police.

Sheku Bayoh, who was 31, died after being restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy on May 3 2015.

Following a meeting with relatives on Wednesday, Scotland's lord advocate confirmed there will be no prosecutions at this time.

In a statement afterwards, their lawyer Aamer Anwar said: "Today the family is devastated and feel nothing but a total betrayal by the Lord Advocate's decision not to prosecute any of the nine officers or Police Scotland.

"The family will continue to fight for the truth and seek a review of the decision albeit they believe that such a process is simply a box ticking exercise, they have demanded that all evidence must now be disclosed to the family by Crown Office and the Lord Advocate must not stand in the way of justice and the pursuit for truth if he will not act.

"They will robustly pursue a civil action and meet with the Justice Minister this afternoon.

"They will accept nothing less than a public inquiry from the Scottish Government - an FAI would be another betrayal and would do nothing to bring about real change, accountability and justice."

A Crown Office spokesman said: "The Lord Advocate, Senior Crown Counsel and officials from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) have met with the family of Sheku Bayoh, and their legal representative, to inform them of the status of this case.

"This has been a complex investigation, and COPFS appreciates that it has been a difficult time for Mr Bayoh's family and for all those involved.

"The Crown has conducted this investigation with professionalism, integrity and respect.

"It is committed to ensuring that the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh are fully aired in an appropriate legal forum and, to that end, it has discussed possible next steps with a small number of colleagues in the justice system.''

The Crown Office would not comment further in "order to protect any potential proceedings'' resulting from what is known as the Victims' Right to Review, the spokesman explained.